Abn 23/07: Uk Policy On The Wearing Of Medals
There has recently been some speculation on what medals may be worn for service in Afghanistan: barring the exception listed below, only the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan is approved for wear, and similarly the same policy applies to service in Iraq where the Campaign Service Medal Iraq is awarded. The NATO ISAF medal may be retained as a keepsake, as may the NATO Iraq medal if received. These keepsakes are not available through Service channels. Any awards for gallantry or meritorious service are worn in addition to any campaign/operational /general service medals.
Service personnel on full tour exchange with Commonwealth countries may accept and wear those campaign medals instead of the UK CSM Iraq or OSM Afghanistan. Should this choice be made, that deployment will not count towards the ACSM.
Only entitled people may wear medals and their associated ribbons. The authoritative document is JSP 761 – ‘Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces’. Entitlement is derived usually either by announcement in the London Gazette for individuals or through an entry on a service person’s Record of Service which can be verified at the Ministry of Defence Medal Office (MoDMO). Commanding Officers are responsible for ensuring that personnel under their command wear only those medals or ribbons to which they are entitled, and for ensuring that the appropriate entries have been made in Records of Service.
The Cabinet Office Honours and Decorations Committee (HDC) is the national body that provides authority for wear. No medal may be worn without its authority. Applications are staffed through AG PS12(A) and DS Sec.