Service in Afghanistan from 19 November 2001

On 6 April 2011 Her Majesty The Queen graciously approved a proposal for the issue of a special medal to recognise service by civilians and others involved in the transition to democracy in Afghanistan. The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals has had under consideration the eligibility criteria and other details of the medal, known as the Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) (CSMA). Their recommendations have been submitted to Her Majesty The Queen, who has graciously approved them, as described below.

Operational area

The operational area for the medal will be the geographical territory of Afghanistan.

Commencement date

The commencement date for the medal will be 19 November 2001, until a date to be decided. The situation will be reviewed on a regular basis to determine whether the medal is still warranted.

Qualifying Period

The qualifying period for the medal is set at 30 days continuous service, or 45 days of service on working visits within Afghanistan aggregated over a period of one calendar year, provided that the visits are for a minimum of 48 hours each.

Qualifying Service Unexpectedly Reduced/Terminated

If qualifying service is brought to an end before completion of the specified qualifying period on account of death, capture, wounding or other disability due to service in Afghanistan, and the individual had otherwise been expected to complete the qualifying period but for the unexpected termination, and the reduced period completed by the individual will be sufficient qualification for an award. The grant of a British honour, decoration or medal (other than the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan and the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal) for services on operations during the qualifying period not amounting to the qualifying criteria specified above, will also qualify the recipient for an award. Details of the recommendations for eligible and excluded personnel are as follows:

Eligible Personnel

(i) Any Crown servant, whether recruited in the United Kingdom, Afghanistan or elsewhere, including Members of Her Majesty’s UK Armed Forces, under Operational Control of the FCO who satisfy the qualification criteria and are not qualifying for any other medal including the operational service medal Afghanistan and Accumulated Campaign Service Medal;

(ii) Any person holding the office of Constable;

(iii)Contractors, and their employees, directly employed by HMG on a fulltime basis to work for, or in support of any Provisional Reconstruction Team (including forward operating bases) Operated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; (iv) Any Foreign and Commonwealth nationals who qualify under the above provisions.

Provided that:

(a) The person served in Afghanistan with or in support of the British Embassy Kabul or the Provincial Reconstruction Team Helmand (including forward operating bases) or served alongside Coalition or multinational forces in Afghanistan for a period of 30 days continuous service or 45 days aggregated service over one calendar year duration; and

(b) The person is not eligible for the Operational Service Medal Afghanistan or the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal;

Exclusions;

UK Armed Forces Personnel who are under Command of the UK Joint task force Commander/Commander Joint Operations.

Service with a Foreign Governments or International Organisations will not count towards the medal

All subcontractors whether on deployed operations, not directly under contract to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, are ineligible for the award of the Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan).Locally employed civilians

Specifications, Design and Production

The Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Her Majesty will appear on the obverse of the medal. Details of the agreed design for the reverse, which has also been approved by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, together with the design for the medal ribbon, are attached.

Front design: Round with obverse showing the Rank Broadley effigy of HM The Queen with the wording ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF.

Material: Cupro-Nickel

Diameter: 36.07mm

Thickness: 4mm

Manufacture: Struck Finish: Rhodium Plating/Coating Engraving:

Recipients name to be inscribed on rim

The medal will be on a plain bar swivel, with standard 3 pin mount and will come in a presentation case.3

The medal should carry no rights to the use of post-nominal letters.

The Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) will go out to tender for production but will be distributed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to those eligible to receive it, as soon as possible.