Medals...?

[1812USMarine]

That's only for Marine personnel. US sailors, never, EVER, drink beer out to sea! If our secret cache of pints of liquor is exhausted by an unexpected extension of sea duty, we then proceed to the torpedo room and poke teeny, tiny holes in the gyroscopes of the "fish", thus liberating a small quantity of 100% pure grain alcohol. Just enough to keep the pink porpoises away, mind you.

JD

[Midshipman786]

Regarding Longservice / TD medals in the TA. I joined as a trooper and when I was commissioned told that only half of my service in the 'ranks' counted towards a TD and as an officer could not recieve a LS?GC medal. If I had checked before I left I would have done another two months and got a TD.

HAY HO

u might still be able to claim the new volunteer reserves service medal which is for all ranks. i dont think u need to have as much service as u did for the old TD.

[Midshipman786]

Dear Andy,

Thank you for your reply. Perhaps you may be able to help me with another nagging query. I understand that a new medal has been minted (though yet to be issued) titled the Operational Service Medal. I was wondering if anyone had heard more of it and if it was to ultimately replace the GSM. What I could squeeze out of the MoD press wallahs is listed below.

I note that it encompasses the latest Afghan campaign. I was always personally of the mind that the MoD should merely resurrect the ribbon from 1919-20 and bung on a new clasp. This was after-all our fourth Afghan War.

Warmest regards!

Pasha


OPERATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL 2000-PRESENT

Description:

The obverse of this medal bears the head of Queen Elizabeth II while the reverse has a four pointed star with a crown between each arm of the star resting on a sword.  In the centre is a circular disc containing the Union Flag made from a central cross and the blades of the swords.  Around this disc is the inscription 'FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE'.  The suspender is the same as used for the General Service Medal.

Clasps:

None authorised for this medal.

Ribbon:

Two ribbons exist for this medal to donate the campaign for which the medal is awarded the first being Sierra Leone and the second Afghanistan.  The Sierra Leone ribbon is 1.25" wide with a central dark red stripe flanked by narrower dark blue, light blue and green stripes on either side.  No information is currently available for the Afghanistan ribbon.

Naming:

Currently undecided but likely to be the same as found on most modern EIIR medals i.e. impressed small capital letters.

Notes:

Introduced in 1999 and effective from 1st January 2000 this medal has yet to be issued.  This award is may indeed replace the General Service Medal for minor campaigns that are not awarded their own separate medal with the exception of operations in Northern Ireland and Air Operations over Iraq which will continue to see the GSM awarded.

General Sir Mike Jackson wears both the GSM and the new OSM....