NATO Medal former Yugoslavia

The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It is manufactured by Eekelers-Centini Intl, of Hemiksem, Belgium. There are currently ten versions of the NATO Medal in existence, for service in Yugoslavia, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, two for service during Article 5 operations (Eagle Assist, Active Endeavour), and four for Non-Article 5 NATO operations (ISAF, Balkans, NTM-Iraq and Pakistan). In addition, there are corresponding clasps for operations such as ISAF, Kosovo, Yugoslavia, NTM-Iraq and clasps designating Article 5, and Non-Article 5 designations. There is also a NATO Meritorious Service Medal, with a "Meritorious Service" clasp as well.

For U.S. Forces, eligibility for the Non-Article 5 Medal for the Balkans remains the same as those previous NATO medals with the exception of the dates of service. Those members entering the Balkan theatre on or after 1 January 2003 will be eligible for the Non-Article 5 medal. The service must be 30 days either continuous or accumulated. Aircrew members will accumulate one days of service for the first sortie flown during any day of the operation. Additional sorties on the same day will receive no further credit. The Balkans area is delineated as the political boundaries and airspace of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Yugoslavia (including Kosovo), the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania, based on the detailed description contained in the SFOR, KFOR, and Task Force Fox Operational Plans. Service members who are entitled to more than one NATO medal during the same period will only be awarded one NATO Medal. The NATO chain of command will deem which medal is appropriate. This medal may also be awarded with the "ISAF" clasp for service in Afghanistan, as well as the "NTM-I" clasp for service in Iraq with NATO forces.

For U.S. Forces the eligibility for the Non-Article 5 Medal for service with the ISAF are those who are members of units or staffs as set out in the Joint Operations Area taking part in operations in Afghanistan. The area of eligibility is delineated by ISAF's political boundaries. The service must be a minimum of 30 days either continuous or accumulated, from 1 June 2003 to a date to be determined. The Canadian government allow its soldiers to accept, but not wear the medal officially, unlike many other NATO member forces who allow their soldiers to wear the medal. The British government does not allow its personnel to accept or wear the medal as a separate British Operational Service Medal for Afghanistanhas been issued and, due to a long-standing ruling, British personnel are not allowed to wear two medals for the same ­campaign or operation. NATO campaign medals where a British decoration has not been issued, like the award for Operation Unified Protector, may be worn.

On 24 July 2012, the United States Department of Defense announced that NATO medals for operations in Libya and Africa havd been approved for acceptance and wear by eligible US service members and DOD civilian personnel