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Operational Service Medal (Sierra Leone)

From ARRSEpedia

1 Medal
2 Clasp
3 Ribbon
4 Qualifying criteria
5 About the OSM

[edit] Medal

Silver and circular in shape. The obverse (shown here) of the medal shows the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth. The reverse bears the Union Flag, surrounded by the inscription ‘For Operational Service’ and the four major points of the compass, with four Coronets: Royal (top left), Naval (top right), Mural-Army (bottom left), and Astral-Royal Air Force (bottom right).

[edit] Clasp

No Clasp issued

[edit] Ribbon

A broad central red stripe, flanked each side by a stripe of royal blue and one of light blue, to represent the three services, with an outer stripe of green to reflect the landscape of Sierra Leone.

[edit] Qualifying criteria

Awarded for service on any of 5 operations in Sierra Leone or the Joint Operational Area which included Senegal.

Awarded for either 14, 21, 30 or 45 days continuous or accumulated service required between certain specified dates on either Op Palliser, Basilica or Silkman. Also awarded to those deployed on Op Maidenly or Op Barras on specified dates.

Full details are laid out in DCI JS 78/02.

[edit] About the OSM

The new Operational Service Medal (OSM) was introduced on 1 January 2000 and at the same time the General Service Medal (GSM) was discontinued, with the exception of the award of the GSM for Northern Ireland.

Since its introduction, three OSMs have been issued: for service in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although each OSM will look the same, separate ribbons will denote each separate award. A Clasp may be awarded with the OSM to signify service in a more dangerous area or period of conflict

Campaign Medals