NATO Medal

NATO Medal

The NATO Medal is a military campaign medal instituted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to recognize the service of military and civilian personnel who have participated in various NATO-led missions and operations since 1994. The medal is awarded with multiple clasps, each representing a specific NATO mission or operation.

Some notable clasps include:

• Former Yugoslavia
• Kosovo
• ISAF (International Security Assistance Force, Afghanistan)
• Non-Article 5 (for NATO-led missions not covered by Article 5)

To be eligible for the NATO Medal, personnel must have served in a NATO-led mission or operation and met the specific service requirements for the relevant clasp. Both military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries and partner nations can be awarded the medal.

Design

The medal is designed as a circular medallion made of bronze. The obverse of the medal features the NATO star emblem surrounded by a wreath of olive leaves. The reverse of the medal displays the words "North Atlantic Treaty Organization" in English and French, the two official languages of NATO, encircled by the same olive wreath as on the obverse.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the NATO Medal features a central stripe of NATO blue, flanked by white stripes, which are then followed by narrower stripes of NATO blue and outer white stripes. The white stripes represent peace, while the blue stripes symbolize the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting NATO's commitment to the collective defense of its member nations.

The NATO Medal serves as a symbol of the service and dedication of military and civilian personnel who have participated in NATO-led missions and operations around the world. It is a testament to the alliance's commitment to maintaining international peace and security and the vital role that NATO plays in global affairs.

Unmounted Medals

If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.

NATO Medal Full Size Court Mounted

The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.

It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.

NATO Medal Full Size Swing Mounted

The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.

NATO Medal Miniature Court Mounted

Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

NATO Medal Miniature Swing Mounted

Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.

NATO Medal Ribbon Bar

A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.