Mick, you are quite correct. As a general rule, if a medal has been issued with a start and stop date (South Atlantic, Rhodesia (although that is a bit of a funny in itself), Gulf Medal (1990-91)), these do not count towards the award of the ACSM, neither do UN/NATO tours. In simple terms, qualifying periods are for any award of an OSM, Telic or GSM 1962 but there are only certain qualifying bars, from memory, anything pre 1969 doesn't count.