Annex L – The Somalia Medal

Table of contents

This operational service medal (OSM) recognizes service with the Canadian Joint Force providing a secure environment for the distribution of humanitarian relief in the Somali Democratic Republic. The regulations for this award are in Annex L, Appendix 1.

Qualifying dates

The period of the military commitment to this operation was 16 November 1992 to 30 June 1993. Arrival and departure days in the theatre count as full days.

The area of military operations consisting of the Somali Democratic Republic, its offshore waters extending 200 nautical miles, and the Republic of Kenya.

Any person enrolled in, attached to or working with the Canadian Joint Force in the theatre of operations is eligible for this award.
All participants in the operation are assumed to have served so honourably unless there is evidence to the contrary. Honourable service means:
1. not only intrinsically honourable, but seen as such by the public;
2. maintaining a record throughout service in Somalia proving:
  1. good and irreproachable conduct;
  2. good attitude towards superiors, subordinates, and local people; and
  3. military professionalism; and
3. a record which, on assessment, does not show:
  1. conviction by a military tribunal of other than a “minor punishment” as defined in Queen’s Regulation and Orders (QR&O), published under the authority of the National Defence Act (NDA);
  2. behaviour in Somalia that resulted in a reproach, report of shortcomings, counselling and probation for behaviour problems, or reproof approved by reviewing authorities; or
  3. behaviour that was deemed to have caused harm to the reputation of the Canadian Forces (CF) or Canada.
Visits and inspections do not qualify as service in the forces committed to, or directly supporting the operation.
Members of the parallel UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) are recognized by their own UN medal and are not eligible for this award.