This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a
timelier manner those who provide direct support to operations in the
presence of an armed enemy. Rather than creating a new honour for each
new Canadian Forces operation as it arises, the General Campaign Star (GCS)
and General Service Medal (GSM) - with their theatre or service specific
ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any operation
that meets the criteria. The General Service Medal (GSM) is awarded to members of the CF and members of allied forces serving with the CF who
deploy outside of Canada - but not necessarily into a theatre of operations - to
provide direct support, on a full-time basis, to operations in the presence of
an armed enemy. The GSM may also be awarded, depending on the
operation, to Canadian citizens other than members of the Canadian Forces,
who are deployed outside Canada, either inside or outside a theatre of
operations and working with the CF to provide direct support, on a full-time
basis, to operations in the presence of an armed enemy. The GSM is always
issued with a ribbon specific to the theatre or type of service being
recognized, and each ribbon has its own criteria.