At the end of 2014, the mission of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was completed. A follow-on mission called Resolute Support and led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was launched on 1 Jan 2015. This mission provided further training, advice and assistance for the Afghan security forces and institutions.
Allied NATO and Australian troops commenced withdrawal from Afghanistan in April 2021 and the mission was terminated in early September 2021.
The medal was supplied by NATO for presentation to eligible personnel. It was not inscribed with an individual's service details and it did not come with a miniature.
Eligibility
Members must have:
- contributed towards the NATO-led mission Resolute Support from 1 Jan 2015
- completed 30 days continuous or 60 days accumulated service (accumulated service must have been achieved within a two-year period) in the designated area of operation.
A period of qualifying service was not required due to injury or death as a result of official duty.
Multiple-tour indicator
To qualify for a multiple tour indicator there must be a break of 180 days out of the area of operation and the 30 day qualifying criteria must be met.
Wearing multiple NATO medals
Personnel who have already received the NATO Medal with Clasp ISAF and have now received the NATO Medal with Clasp Afghanistan can wear both medals (once approved). The clasps are not to be affixed to just one medal.
Applications
The NATO Mission in Afghanistan has ceased.
Previously, the names of eligible members were sent to the Directorate of Honours and Awards (DH&A) through administrative channels in the MEAO for processing and approval. There may have been instances where a member has been omitted from a certified list.
If a member is entitled to the NATO medal and has not received it, the member will be required to engage through their chain of command to apply for the medal through NATO HQ in Brussels.
Applications must be made within 2 years of a member’s dates of service in Afghanistan. Any applications outside of this will be assessed by NATO as not eligible.
DH&A does not assess for this award and is not the awarding authority. Replacement medals are not issued by Defence. When a foreign award that has been approved for wearing by Defence is lost or stolen, members can obtain a replica from a medals dealer at their own expense.
To apply for approval to accept and wear foreign awards, submit an application with a certified true copy of the award certificate.