Last month saw the launch of the new Wider Service Medal by the Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps. Approved by His Majesty the King, The Defence Secretary announced the new award recognising the work of our Armed Forces across the world, and the wide range of roles that make up our Armed Forces today that contribute to operations success. This medal will recognise the service of military personnel involved in operations but where risk to life is lower – the traditional criteria for recipients of medals.
According to the MOD website, the launch of this new medal reflects the “ever-changing nature of warfare and ensure that those fulfilling crucial roles can receive medallic recognition” and highlights the roles that “deter adversaries in a pre-war world”.
According to gov.uk the criteria for the medal has been outlined as the following:
· Defined operational activity where there is evidence of operational impact that contributes to the UK objectives but does not meet the traditional medal threshold in terms of physical risk to the individual.
· The individual must have accrued 180 days’ aggregated service on eligible operations. Subsequent service of 180 days will result in the award of a bar to the medal, up to a maximum of three bars.
Military medals are awards that reflect honour, duty and the gratitude of a nation. But what can you do when your medals are lost, stolen, or damaged? Read our article here and always make sure your insurance policy covers medals and memorabilia.