The Non Article 5 Medal

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has approved a Non Article 5 NATO medal for personnel participating in NATO-led operations in the Balkans. NATO inaugurated a new award symbolising the amalgamation of all Balkan operations into one operational whole.
In the past each NATO-led operation had its own medal based on specified criteria and qualifying conditions. From 1 January 2003, common criteria will be applicable to each of the NATO-led operations within the Balkans Joint Operations Area (JOA).

This medal is authorised to replace the NATO medals issued for NATO Operations “JOINT FORGE” and “JOINT GUARDIAN”.

Eligibility for the new medal remains the same as those previous NATO medals with the exception of the dates of service. Those members entering the Balkan theatre on or after December 3, 2002 will be eligible for the new medal.

The Balkans JOA is delineated as the political boundaries and airspace of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FRY (including Kosovo), FYROM, and Albania, based on the detailed description contained in the SFOR, KFOR, Allied Harmony OPLANs.