What is the proper Army use/wear of the NATO Meritorious Service Medal?

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 07:09:30 -0500

I have been awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. Not to be confused with the standard NATO Medal. I have looked through countless publications trying to find this info. Can anyone shed some light?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2017 7:42 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 07:42:26 -0500

Check AR 600-8-22 pg 126.
9–12. North Atlantic Treaty Organization Meritorious Service Medal
a. The NATO MSM is awarded to military and civilian personnel who have been commended for providing
exceptional or remarkable service to NATO.
b. The eligibility criteria for award of the NATO MSM includes: military and civilian personnel must not have been
convicted of serious misconduct or crimes during the period of assignment under NATO command and control; must
be serving permanently or temporarily within NATO’s operational chain of command or in those forces under NATO
command or control or in a NATO body; must be commended personally by a commander or a head of a NATO body
for one of the following:
(1) Performing acts of courage in difficult or dangerous circumstances.
(2) Showing exceptional leadership or personal example.
(3) Making an outstanding individual contribution in any activity or program.
(4) Enduring particular hardship or deprivation in the interest of NATO.
c. A period of qualifying service is not required. There is no limit to the number of times an individual may be
recommended for the NATO MSM.
d. Where individuals by nature of their duties or location qualify for an operational award, such individuals may
also be considered for the award of the NATO MSM in accordance with the criteria detailed above.
e. Award of the NATO MSM to personnel killed, presumed killed, or repatriated, as a result of being wounded or
seriously injured while on assignment may be considered.
f. Order of precedence. The NATO MSM will be worn in the order of their receipt after all U.S. decorations, the
Good Conduct Medal, campaign and service medals, and service and training ribbons.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made Nov 8 at 2017 7:42 AM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 07:42:32 -0500

https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=384

htmldetails.aspx

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2017 10:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 10:46:41 -0500

You can also use https://www.ezrackbuilder.com gives you an idea of what goes where

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Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Nov 8 at 2017 11:44 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:44:03 -0500

From what I remember, and I may be wrong, but I believe that you are only authorized to wear one NATO award at any given time. That would be worn in the same location, all the way at the lowest point of precedence, on your rack.

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made Nov 8 at 2017 2:18 PM

SMSgt Keith Klug — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 14:18:42 -0500

Just make sure you don't wear it upside down.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 9 at 2018 12:58 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 00:58:56 -0500

The NATO Meritorious Service Medal is a decoration (ie. I did something) as opposed to a service medal (i.e. I was there). It would be worn before all other international and foreign awards but after the lowest award issued by the US Government (in your case probably the Overseas Service Ribbon). I understand that they award only about 150 of them a year and, I would guess, most of those are to officers and senior NCOs. Congratulations!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 9 at 2018 10:59 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 22:59:25 -0500

Medals of America have it- the precedence is behind the NATO Macedonia Medal

Response by PO2 David Harrity made Jul 15 at 2018 4:48 PM

PO2 David Harrity — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:48:42 -0400

The NATO MSM is a foreign decoration, while the NATO Medal is Non-U.S. service award, more specifically a NATO campaign and service award. As a result, the NATO MSM is worn in the order of receipt based on any foreign decorations you may also have. Then, foreign unit awards (which are now unlikely, but go on right side when worn), then Non-U.S. service awards in the order of precedence prescribed by PA DAM 670-1. That potentially means that you or others in the Army could and should “separation between the NATO MSM and the NATO Medal”. Here is a potentially common ribbon order of precedence and assumes you are wearing U.S. military decorations. I’m using the French Legion as part of the example and not including Vietnam and Korea War era medals in the mix, then here are all the right combinations:

== Soldier 1 example ==
... NATO Meritorious Service Medal ribbon (with bronze service star for each subsequent award)
... United Nations Medal ribbon (with bronze service star for each subsequent mission)
... NATO Medal ribbon (with bronze service star for each subsequent mission)
... Multinational Force and Observers Medal ribbon

== Soldier 2 example ==
... NATO Meritorious Service Medal ribbon (e.g., awarded in 2016)
... Legion of Honor (France) (e.g., awarded in 2017)
... United Nations Medal ribbon (with bronze service star for each subsequent mission)
... NATO Medal (with bronze service star for each subsequent mission)
... Multinational Force and Observers Medal

== Soldier 3 example ==
... Legion of Honor (France) ribbon (e.g., awarded in 2016)
... NATO Meritorious Service Medal ribbon (e.g., awarded in 2017)
... United Nations Medal ribbon (with bronze service star for each subsequent mission)
... NATO Medal (with bronze service star for each subsequent mission)
... Multinational Force and Observers Medal

For Army and Air Force, multiple UN Medal (mission) ribbons not authorized and are multiple awards are represented by service stars.

...

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 2 at 2018 1:45 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 13:45:01 -0400

really MSM for NATO how about I got my BAH ribbon too

Response by PO1 Michael Moe made Nov 13 at 2018 2:32 PM

PO1 Michael Moe — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 14:32:26 -0500

Toss it in the trash