International Operational Service Medal

The medal will be bronze alloy and round in form. The design on the obverse will consist of a map of the globe. On the reserve side shall be inscribed the wording Bonn Seirbhíse Idirnáisiúnta Oibríochta Óglaigh na hÉireann, 'Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal'.

The ribbon is 5 cm in length and is 31 mm wide with 2 x 6 mm wide green stripes, 2 x 6 mm blue stripes and 1 x 7 mm navy stripe.

Straight unswiveled bar through which the ribbon is threaded hanging from a bronze pin-back brooch in which is inscribed Seirbhíse Idirnáisiúnta (International Service).

The bronze bar for example, "OP PONTUS", to the medal denotes the specific theatre, or mission for which the medal is being awarded and is bronze in colour. Additional clasps can be added to as required.

Members of the Permanent Defence Forces and the Army Nursing and Chaplaincy Service may be awarded the Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal should they meet the operational service and qualifying service requirements for the award of the medal in an eligible mission.

a. "Operational Service", in the context of the International Operational Service Medal, occurs where individuals, units, groups or contingents of the Permanent Defence Forces, with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government, are dispatched for service outside the State to partake in armed or unarmed missions not eligible for a UN, NATO/PfP or EU medal pursuant to the provisions of the Defence Act, 1954, as amended.

b. Commencement Date: The Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal will be awarded to members deployed on eligible missions with effect from 18 November 2014.

c. "Qualifying Service" means a minimum period of sixty (60) days uninterrupted operational service overseas measured from the date of embarkation to the mission area of the FHQ/OHQ in support of the mission to the date of return from the mission area or supporting the FHQ/OHQ.

d. Eligible Missions:

i. Only those missions deployed under the authority and by direction of the Government pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended, and NOT eligible for the award of a UN, NATO or EU medal will be considered for the award of the 'Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal'.

ii. Emergency Civilian Assistance Team (ECAT), OSCE and Permanent Military Representatives ordinarily will not be considered eligible for the award of the medal, however operational situations may arise from time to time where consideration may be given to such personnel who otherwise meet the criteria for the award of the medal. Standby or Reserve Forces e.g. EUBG components and their supporting FHQ/OHQ staff will not be eligible for the award of the medal. If the DF element of the EUBG deploys overseas as part of their standby period then personnel of that component and supporting OHQ/FHQ staff, if deployed for a minimum period of sixty (60) days uninterrupted service overseas, will be eligible for the award (in the absence of an EU medal for the deployment).

a. OIC 'A' Admin, having given consideration to the eligibility criteria, will make a recommendation to D COS (Sp) for the award of the medal in respect of the particular mission prior to its deployment.

b. DCOS (Sp) will review the recommendation from OIC 'A' Admin using the eligibility criteria and, if approved, will submit the proposal to the Minister for Defence for his/her consideration and approval.

c. Posthumous Awards. The qualifying period of service of 60 days is NOT required for members killed or presumed killed while on a deployment to a mission eligible for the award of the Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal.

The Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal will be worn in order of precedence after the United Nations Peacekeepers Medal and before any UN, NATO or EU medal.[3]