General Service Medal (2008)
Obverse and reverse of the medal
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forCampaign service.
DescriptionSilver disk, 36 mm diameter.
Presented bythe United Kingdom
EligibilityBritish forces.
Campaign(s)Minor campaigns 2008–present
Clasps
  • Southern Asia
  • Arabian Peninsula
  • Northern Africa
  • Western Africa
  • Eastern Africa
  • Gulf of Aden
  • Global Operations
Established2015
First awarded12 June 2016
Service ribbon of the medal
RelatedGeneral Service Medal (1918)
General Service Medal (1962)

The General Service Medal 2008 (GSM 08) was introduced in 2015 for award to Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, and RAF personnel[1] to recognise specified operations since January 2008, not qualifying for another campaign medal. Unlike its predecessor, the General Service Medal (1962), operations will be denoted by clasps indicating the geographic area of operations, rather than a specific operation. The first awards of the medal were made by Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon at a ceremony on 12 June 2016.[2]

Appearance

The GSM 08 is a circular silver medal, 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter.
The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II, with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF.
The reverse bears a design featuring a figure of Britannia holding a trident standing ahead of a lion, symbolising Britain, with, below, the inscription FOR CAMPAIGN SERVICE, with the whole encircled by an oak leaf wreath.[2]
The suspension bar is the same design as those of the GSM 1918–62 and GSM 1962, as are the colours of the 32 mm (1.26 in) wide ribbon, which is dark green with a purple stripe towards each edge.[1]

Clasps

The clasps for the medal are named based on the geographic region of operations and not for specific named operations.[2] Further operations deemed sufficient to warrant the award of the medal will see the addition of more clasps.[1] Service in subsequent qualifying operations is reflected by additional clasps added to the existing GSM medal.[1]

The clasps and their qualifying periods of service are as follows:[3][4]

Southern Asia
Arabian Peninsula
Northern Africa
Western Africa
Eastern Africa
Gulf of Aden
Global Operations

Notes

  1. ^ Awarded to Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel serving aboard HMS Daring during escort missions through the Gulf of Aden
  2. ^ The specific criteria for the award of the Global Operations clasp have not been released

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility". Ministry of Defence Medal Office. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Defence Secretary awards new medal to 46 troops". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. ^ "UK Armed Forces Deaths: Operational deaths post World War II 3 September 1945 to 17 February 2016" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 31 March 2016. p. 16. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  4. ^ "JSP 761: Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. October 2016. p. 8A-4. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Minutes of the 122nd Meeting of the Management Committee of the Royal Engineers Association, 21st January 2015, Annex B." (PDF). Royal Engineers Association. 24 February 2016. p. 1. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Campaign medal recognition for personnel deployed to West Africa". Royal Air Force. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Award for Royal Navy sailors who defied missile threat to protect merchant ships". Royal Navy. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Hundreds of Royal Navy submariners awarded medal for their part in global missions". Forces News. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
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