This general service award has been created as a means to recognize in a
timelier manner those who serve in or provide support to overseas operations
and for which no other medals, such as United Nations or NATO medals, are
available. Rather than creating a new honour for each new Canadian Forces
operation as it arises, the Operational Service Medal - with its theatre or task
specific ribbons - can be awarded in future to honour participation in any
operation that meets the criteria. The Operational Service Medal (OSM) is
awarded to:
members of the CF;
members of allied forces serving with the CF;
members of recognized Canadian police forces and allied police officers
working with them; and
Canadian citizens other than members of the CF or sworn police
officers working with the CF or with Canadian police forces;
who served in a theatre of operations, provided direct support on a full-time
basis to operations conducted in such a theatre or served under dangerous
circumstances outside Canada. The OSM is always issued with a ribbon
specific to the theatre or type of service being recognized, and each ribbon
has its own criteria. The OSM with HAITI ribbon is awarded to eligible persons
who served in Haiti or provided direct support to operations conducted in
that country from outside Canada for at least 30 cumulative days
commencing on March 6, 2004, provided the said service has not been
otherwise recognized by a service medal other than the Canadian
Peacekeeping Service Medal where applicable.