Introduced in 1999 to succeed the General Service Medal, the Operational Service Medal (OSM) is a series of campaign medals bestowed by the British armed forces. While the medal design remains uniform (as of March 2024, the Operational Service Medal has been conferred for four distinct campaigns), each campaign is distinguished by its unique ribbon.
The Four Different OSM Medals
As of March 2024, there are four distinct versions of the OSM, each representing specific operational deployments. These are:
OSM Sierra Leone: Awarded for service in Sierra Leone, this medal features a ribbon with a central red bar flanked by navy blue and light blue bars, with outer green edges. The initial Operational Service Medal (OSM) was conferred for participation in Operation Palliser, the UK’s involvement in the Sierra Leone Civil War spanning from May 2000 to July 2002.
OSM Afghanistan: This medal is conferred for service in Afghanistan and is distinguished by its ribbon, which follows the same pattern as the OSM Sierra Leone but with buff-colored outer edges. The Operational Service Medal (OSM) for Afghanistan was granted for participation in the Afghan War, which covered Operation Veritas, Operation Herrick, Operation Toral, and other associated operations falling under those overarching missions.
OSM Democratic Republic of Congo: Awarded for service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this medal’s ribbon mirrors the central red, navy blue, and light blue design, with ochre-colored outer edges. The Operational Service Medal (OSM) for the Democratic Republic of Congo was conferred upon all British personnel who served during the period of June to September 2003 as part of Operation Coral. This operation marked the British contribution to the multinational peacekeeping effort led by France in the Democratic Republic of Congo, occurring during the latter phases of the Second Congo War.
OSM Iraq and Syria: Recognizing service in Iraq and Syria, this medal’s ribbon maintains the central red and blue pattern but features grey outer edges. The Operational Service Medal (OSM) for Iraq and Syria was granted to individuals who served during Operation Shader, the United Kingdom’s participation in the military campaign against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
The Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone
The Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone is a campaign medal awarded for participation in the Sierra Leone Civil War.
The Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan
The Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan is a campaign medal awarded for service by British Armed Forces in support of the Afghan War.
The Operational Service Medal Iraq and Syria
The Operational Service Medal Iraq and Syria is a British armed forces campaign medal awarded mostly to military personnel.
The Operational Service Medal for Congo
The Operational Service Medal for Congo was awarded to all British personnel that served between June and September 2003 on Operation Coral.
The OSM Medal Design
The medal is circular an bears, on the obverse, the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by the inscription “ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF.” On the reverse, the design showcases the Union Flag is encircled by a band reading “FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE” positioned atop a four-pointed star symbolizing the cardinal directions.
The OSM Clasps
Some of the Operational Service Medal have clasps, or small decorative bars or rosettes, that are awarded alongside the main medal to denote specific additional qualifications or periods of service. These clasps serve to further recognize the diverse experiences and contributions of military personnel in various operational theaters.
For example, the OSM for the Democratic Republic of Congo is accompanied by the “DROC” clasp, indicating service in that specific campaign and the OSM for Sierra Leone has a silver rosette for personnel who took part in Operation Maidenly or Operation Barras.
The OSM Ribbons
The ribbon design for each variant of the medal maintains a consistent layout, featuring a prominent red central bar bordered by navy blue on either side. Adjacent to the navy blue sections are light blue bars, symbolizing the three branches of the armed services.
Each ribbon is distinguished by unique edge bars of distinct colors: green for Sierra Leone, buff for Afghanistan, ochre for the Democratic Republic of Congo, and grey for Iraq and Syria.
