Operational Service Medal — South-West Asia Ribbon

Summary#

This order, made under the Operational Service Medal Regulations, sets out who qualifies for the Operational Service Medal with the SOUTH‑WEST ASIA ribbon and defines the ribbon’s appearance. It repeals Order in Council P.C. 2010-1093 and was registered on January 8, 2020 (the order itself is dated December 19, 2019).

What it does#

• Repeals the earlier order P.C. 2010-1093.
• Defines the theatre of operations as:
  • the political boundaries of Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and those parts of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea that are west of 68° east longitude and north of 5° south latitude, and the airspace above those areas; and
  • places outside Canada when the service is in direct support of operations in the areas above.
• Sets the minimum service time that counts toward the medal:
  • 30 cumulative days during the period beginning on October 7, 2001 and ending on March 12, 2014;
  • 21 cumulative days for service beginning on March 13, 2014; or
  • a combined total of at least 21 cumulative days when some days fall in the first period and some in the second but neither period’s own minimum is met.
• Specifies the ribbon design: 32 mm wide, with a 22-mm sand stripe in the middle, flanked by 2.5-mm white stripes and 2.5-mm red stripes.
• Says the medal is to be worn after the General Service Medal with the EXPEDITION ribbon.

Who's affected#

• People whose service meets the area and time rules above — for example, military personnel who served in or supported operations in the named region during the specified dates.
• The order says service “outside Canada in direct support” also counts, so some deployed support personnel could be included.
• The text does not spell out whether civilian contractors or allied personnel qualify; that is not made clear in the order.

Why it matters#

• It clarifies who is eligible for recognition with the Operational Service Medal for service in South‑West Asia. That affects awarding of medals, personnel records, and veterans’ recognition.
• It sets the exact ribbon design and where the medal sits in the dress order, which matters to recipients and to uniform regulations.
• Repealing the older order may change administrative details for how past or future claims are handled, though the order itself does not list administrative procedures.