The Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal

[bigjarofwasps]

Hi Guys,

Have recently discovered the existance of this medal, however, have been unable to confirm any criteria, can anyone shine any light on it?

[Gerd Becker]

Hi bjow,

see here:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1468...p;hl=Iraq+Medal

Hope, this helps...

Gerd

[bigjarofwasps]

Service in Iraq from 19 March 2003

On 26 June 2004 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 reconstruction and transition to

democracy in Iraq.

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 Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal

(IRSM). 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 Iraq.

Commencement Date

The commencement date for the medal will be 19 March 2003, 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 40 days of continuous service, or 40 days of service

on working visits within Iraq 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 the completion of the specified qualifying period

on account of death, capture, wounding or other disability due to service in Iraq, and the individual

had otherwise been expected to complete the qualifying period but for the unexpected termination,

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 Iraq Medal (military)) for services on

operations during the qualifying period not amounting to the qualifying criteria specified above,

will also qualify the recipient for an award.

Service already counted towards the award of the Operation TELIC military medal cannot qualify

for the civilian medal. There will be some circumstances in which individuals might qualify for

both the civilian and the military medal for different periods and differing types of service.

Accumulated Campaign Service Medal

In parallel with the criteria for the military Iraq Medal, qualifying service for the Iraq

Reconstruction Service Medal should not count towards the qualifying criteria for the Accumulated

Campaign Service Medal (ACSM).

Details of the recommendations for eligible and excluded personnel are as follows:

Eligible Personnel

All civilian Public Servants and those that hold the office of Constable not qualifying for the Iraq

military (Campaign) Medal, appointed by HMG to serve in Iraq with, or in support of, the

Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), British Office Baghdad (BOB) or British Embassy

(including their Regional Offices).

Civilian Public Servants deployed by HMG to work alongside coalition/multinational forces in

Iraq, and who do not qualify for the Iraq military (Campaign) Medal.

Members of the Armed Forces, working with or seconded to HMG Departments, and who do not

qualify for the Iraq (Campaign) Medal.

Contractors and their employees directly employed by HMG on a full time basis to work for, or

in support of the CPA, BOB or British Embassy (including their Regional Offices), or to work

alongside coalition/multinational forces in Iraq for HMG, and not qualifying for the Iraq

(Campaign) Medal.

Consultants and their employees directly employed by HMG on a full time basis to work for, or

in support of the CPA, BOB or British Embassy (including their Regional Offices), or to work

alongside coalition/multinational forces in Iraq for HMG, and not qualifying for the Iraq

(Campaign) Medal.

Any Foreign and Commonwealth nationals who qualify under the above provisions.

Exclusions

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.

The cuneiform symbols on the reverse of the medal can be roughly translated as "land bringing

forth life". The depiction of the two rivers is based on relief carving from Mesopotamia, to be

found in the British Museum.

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.

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

The IRSM is being produced by the Royal Mint, and will be distributed by the Foreign and

Commonwealth Office, to those eligible to receive it, as soon as possible.

Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal

[Megan]

I have been sent some good pictures of this beastie by someone who has already received his, must try to remember to post them when I get home...