Complex criteria govern the award of the OSM, with varying lengths of service required depending on the operation and location.
To qualify for award of the Medal with Clasp, personnel must have served in Afghanistan for either 5, 21 or 30 days continuous service between various dates depending on the operation, between 11 September 2001 – 1 August 2002 for Ops Jacana and Bandog, or to a date to be decided for Ops Veritas, Fingal and Landman.
Service of varying lengths depending on the operation on Ops Landman, Veritas, Oracle, Ramson or Damien in other Middle East countries during certain specific dates will qualify for the OSM for Afghanistan without clasp.
The OSM is a nice looking medal but I have to admit it looks a little silly with clasps. I've got 2 clasps on mine and it just doesn't seem right. In some respects its a bit of a cop out. Why not have separate campaign medals?
These MP's are not being awarded the OSM. They are being given a commemorative badge.