The introduction of the Wider Service Medal (WSM) provides Tier 4 medallic recognition for Armed Forces personnel, MOD Civilians, contractors, and other public servants, who are engaged on operational activity that delivers a significant and direct contribution to UK objectives in rigorous circumstances, but not necessarily in roles that expose them to physical risk. It encompasses the changing nature of conflict and reflects the new ways in which the Armed Forces are utilised to deliver operational effect in support of HMG strategic objectives.
In June 2024, 2024DIN09-008 was issued to facilitate the award of the first medals to small, representative cohorts of personnel in summer 2024. The process to consider the next phase of other eligible operational activity, separate to that announced in March 2024, has now been undertaken.
Operational activity must have been ongoing as of 5 March 2024 or have commenced after this date; this is the date the WSM was approved by His Majesty The King. Activity approved may be backdated to no earlier than 11 December 2018, when the initial concept of the medal was first endorsed.
Find out more and check eligibility criteria here
