NATO non-article 5 Medal - ISAF

[CdnCivi]

Good day,

I'd like to know if there is anyone out there who has fallen in a 'recognition void' with respect to being deployed to Afghanistan as a NATO civilian (re: NATO non-article 5 Medal) and if so, if you've had any success in resolving.

The bonehead in Ottawa who posed as a decorated soldier on Remembrance Day got me spun up given the obvious, but also on an issue regarding medals given that I'm not legally allowed to wear the NATO non-article 5 Medal for ISAF I was awarded in 2008 and am not eligible for the GSM-SWA.

Besides the initial question, I'm really curious to know if any CF members working within COMKAF (CJ4 & CJ8) were eligible for the GSM-SWA.

Thank you in advance.

 

[brihard]

'Not allowed to wear' in what context? Are you a CF member as well (reserve?) who deployed in a civilian capacity? Nobody can tell you not to wear it in civilian dress, though if you're a reservist looking to wear it in uniform, yes, that would need to get authorization.

 

[CdnCivi]

Until last year I was DND civilian on a LWOP with NATO which was approved on the grounds it would benefit the Government of Canada .

In 2011, I came across an article that stated  “The NATO-ISAF medal cannot be accepted (even as a memento) and is not authorized for wear by any Canadian citizen as we have created our own form of recognition for that service”.  I made an inquiry given at that point I had spent over 2 years in Afghan. under NATO and wondered as a Canadian citizen if I should have even been awarded/accepted the medal I had received in 2008.  After explaining my circumstances, I was advised by DH&R I was in a 'recognition void'. 

Please don't get me wrong, I am not in the military and would never dream of wearing a medal because I personally believe they should only be worn by those in the military, but given others can receive and wear this medal (e.g. public servants and Cdn contractors), it irritates me that the service I performed isn't even recognized as being valid by my own country.

Hope you understand why I'm asking the question.

 

[PuckChaser]

If you're not going to wear a medal, then have your NATO Non-Article 5 mounted, framed with a picture of you overseas and put it on the wall.

I looked up the GSM-SWA, and unless you can demonstrate your service with NATO was in direct assistance to the Canadian mission there, you've been adequately recognized by NATO for your service with NATO.

 

[CdnCivi]

Yes, I could mount and frame it but the point is, it isn't recognized by Canada and that is what is getting to me.  Right now it is sitting in a moving box somewhere along with the accompanying certificate.  Who knows if it will ever be seen again

I certainly worked in direct support of the CF given they were one of five nations who tasked us to provide specific services that NATO common funding did not cover (e.g interpreters, demining, bulk transportation etc).  That is why I am curious if any CF members who deployed under COMKAF were eligible as they provided services under NATO versus in direct support of the CF.

 

[PuckChaser]

The difference is that they were CF members (paid by Canada) deployed to work in COMKAF where you were a Canadian citizen being paid by NATO to work in support of Coalition efforts. If the Canadian government had sent you as a DND civilian to work at COMKAF, you'd probably be entitled to Canadian honours.

Build your case that you provided direct support to Canadian operations, and submit it. The GSM-SWA medal has the process listed where service can be added to the eligibility list.

 

[brihard]

In 2011, I came across an article that stated  “The NATO-ISAF medal cannot be accepted (even as a memento) and is not authorized for wear by any Canadian citizen as we have created our own form of recognition for that service”.  I made an inquiry given at that point I had spent over 2 years in Afghan. under NATO and wondered as a Canadian citizen if I should have even been awarded/accepted the medal I had received in 2008.  After explaining my circumstances, I was advised by DH&R I was in a 'recognition void'. 

You earned it, you were recognized by the organization you worked for. Nobody has the authority to tell you, in your circumstances, that you cannot accept, wear, or display the NATO medal. Be proud of what you did and the recognition you received.

 

[The_Falcon]

I have the same medal since I work for ISAF as an ICC.  NATO is aware of the deal with Canadians and so is the GG's office, and their take is so long as you weren't deployed on behalf of the Government of Canada, or working for the Government in theatre, then you are entitled to the medal and the GG's office will take the necessary steps to have it gazetted so you can mount it with any other medals you have.

The email I have from the GG's office

Good morning Mr. HM

I acknowledge receipt and thank you for your email concerning the wearing of foreign decorations.

Before the medals can be presented and mounted, foreign countries must seek permission to award a decoration or medal to a Canadian citizen prior to awarding it. In cases where the insignia have already been presented, the recipient must seek permission from the Chancellery of Honours to be able to wear them, on civilian clothes or uniform.

We require the following information:

1-    Full name of award, date of the award and donor country (or organization)

2-    Any related paperwork (certificates, letters of congratulations, pictures, etc.)

3-    Short letter or note that explains the reason of the request

4-    List any other medals you received as a member of the CF or as a civilian



A file will then be opened in the recipient’s name and it will be presented to the next Honours Policy Sub-Committee meeting for a vote. There is usually one meeting per month.

 

[CdnCivi]

Thank you all for your feedback and advice, especially Hatchet Man for outlining how it can be made legal.  It is greatly appreciated.

Now if you have any advice on how not to get into your 'child's hair' as they work their way through the recruiting process that would be great (just joking!).  I found out today that my daughter has been scheduled for an interview and medical (she took me by surprise when she applied) and am so excited, proud and hopeful that she makes it through.  Just had to put it out there as a proud Mom  

Take care.

 

[Pusser]

Until last year I was DND civilian on a LWOP with NATO which was approved on the grounds it would benefit the Government of Canada .

In 2011, I came across an article that stated  “The NATO-ISAF medal cannot be accepted (even as a memento) and is not authorized for wear by any Canadian citizen as we have created our own form of recognition for that service”.  I made an inquiry given at that point I had spent over 2 years in Afghan. under NATO and wondered as a Canadian citizen if I should have even been awarded/accepted the medal I had received in 2008.  After explaining my circumstances, I was advised by DH&R I was in a 'recognition void'. 

Please don't get me wrong, I am not in the military and would never dream of wearing a medal because I personally believe they should only be worn by those in the military, but given others can receive and wear this medal (e.g. public servants and Cdn contractors), it irritates me that the service I performed isn't even recognized as being valid by my own country.

Hope you understand why I'm asking the question.

Why would you not dream of wearing a medal?  Medals are not the exclusive realm of the military.  In fact, Canada does not have a "military" honours system.  There is only one Canadian Honours System and it includes all medals officially recognized by Her Majesty in the right of Canada.  Although many of the honours within the system can only be awarded to military personnel (e.g. the Order of Military Merit, Meritorious Service Decorations (Military Division), Canadian Forces Decoration, etc.) there are many others that are awarded to civilians (e.g. the Order of Canada, Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division), etc).  There are multitudes of civilians who have never served a day in uniform that proudly and properly wear their honours on appropriate occasions.  If Margaret Atwood chooses to attend a Remembrance Day service and wear her insignia a Companion of the Order of Canada, then it is entirely proper that she do so as it is an occasion where people customarily wear their honours.

Within the Canadian Honours System, there are a number of foreign medals (mostly UN and NATO, but the Australian medal for East Timor is in there as well).  Each of these has been reviewed and approved by Her Majesty for inclusion in the Canadian system.  However, not all UN and NATO medals are approved.  Each one must be approved individually and if Canada was not involved in a particular mission or if Canada has decided to issue its own medal for that mission (as was the case with Afghanistan), then the UN/NATO medal would not be approved for inclusion in the Canadian system.  What this really means is that if one is awarded a foreign decoration that has not been inducted into our system (e.g. the NATO ISAF medal) then one cannot wear it in conjunction with Canadian Honours (i.e. not at the same time and certainly not mounted with them).  However, that is not to say that you cannot wear foreign honours on their own.

If you want to wear your NATO ISAF medal in conjunction with your Canadian honours, then Hatchet Man has described the process.  I can assure you that it works.  I would be a little surprised if DH&R actually told you that you are in a "recognition void."  It is more likely that they could not deal with your case because you are a civilian and they only deal with military personnel.  If you have no Canadian honours, then I would say that you can certainly wear your NATO ISAF medal without worry.  I'm assuming that you earned it and that it was properly awarded.  If you want to be absolutely correct, then submit an application to the Chancellery (they're the part of the GG's Office that actually deals with this stuff).  As a side note, should you receive permission to wear your NATO ISAF medal and then decide to actually join the CF at later date, you won't need further permission to wear it on your CF uniform.  As I said before, there is only one Canadian Honours System and once it gives you permission to wear an honour, you're good to go in all respects.  There are many CF members who legitimately wear medals on their uniforms that have nothing to do with their Canadian military service.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

You're a civvie. Wear it if you want. DHH and the military have no say in the matter, even though they contend they do. You're not bound, like a service member, by their rules. Anyone saying otherwise, you can tell them to go piss up a rope.