The UK Ministry of Defence, with approval from the King and unveiled by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, announces the Wider Service Medal for military personnel serving in essential operational roles without direct combat, spanning duties from nuclear deterrence to NATO air patrols.
The UK Ministry of Defence has introduced a new accolade, the Wider Service Medal (WSM), aimed at honouring military personnel engaged in essential operational roles that do not involve direct physical threats. Officially endorsed by the King and unveiled by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, the medal seeks to recognize the contributions of armed forces members across a spectrum of non-combat duties essential to the UK’s military objectives, including the nuclear deterrent and support for NATO air patrols in Eastern Europe.
To be eligible for the WSM, individuals must have served in qualifying operations for at least 180 consecutive days since December 2018. This eligibility spans across the Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy, underscoring the medal’s inclusivity towards various roles within the armed forces. The medal’s design encapsulates the values and scope of these contributions, featuring a Tudor crown, symbolising leadership and the monarch’s endorsement, surrounded by arrows representing global reach, and encircled with a laurel wreath denoting service and achievement. The ribbon attached to the medal showcases colours indicative of the different military departments, with purple specifically signifying government authority.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps emphasised the evolving nature of warfare and the necessity of acknowledging a broader spectrum of military endeavour that extends beyond frontline engagement. The introduction of the WSM marks a significant recognition of these vital, though often less visible, contributions to the UK’s defence and military strategy. The first batch of WSM awards is anticipated to be presented in early summer, with retrospective recognition provided for eligible operations dating back to late 2018.
