NATO Afghanistan Miniature Medal

The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. 

The NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan was launched in 2015, following the completion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mandate. It was a non-combat mission established at the invitation of the Afghan government and the support of the UN. Its aim was to provide further training, advice and assistance for the Afghan security forces and institutions. In April 2021, on recognising that there is no military solution to the challenges Afghanistan faces, the Allies decided to start the withdrawal of RSM forces and the mission was terminated early September 2021.

NATO medals are identical in design, with a bar worn on the ribbon to identify the specific mission. The NATO Aghanistan bar would bear the words 'AFGHANISTAN' and the ribbon is NATO blue with two white stripes at either side of the medal ribbon with a line of silver through the middle of each white stripe. 

Qualifying time for the medal is 30 days of continous service or 60 days accumulated within 2 years, contributing to the NATO lead mission Resolute Support in its designated Area of Operation. Subsequent tours of the same regions would be denoted with a numeral attached to the ribbon.

AWARD miniature medals complement the full-size official medals and are normally worn for formal dinner dress occasions.

All official medals are sent loose on the ribbon unless medal mounting is also purchased on the same order.