The NATO Meritorious Service Medal: Honoring Excellence and Cooperation

The NATO Meritorious Service Medal stands as a symbol of recognition for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and cooperation in supporting the objectives and values of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This article explores the history and purpose of this prestigious medal, shedding light on its significance within the NATO alliance.

Historical Background: 

The NATO Meritorious Service Medal was established in 2003 as a means to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by individuals from NATO member countries, partner nations, and NATO civilian personnel. It reflects the alliance's commitment to recognizing excellence and fostering cooperation across a wide range of military and civilian endeavors.

Purpose and Criteria: 

The primary purpose of the NATO Meritorious Service Medal is to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to NATO operations, exercises, programs, or initiatives. Recipients are those who have displayed exceptional professionalism, dedication, and expertise while supporting NATO's mission of promoting peace, security, and cooperation among member nations.

Eligibility and Nomination Process: 

Eligibility for the NATO Meritorious Service Medal is typically based on recommendations from the NATO command structure or national authorities within member nations. The nomination process involves careful review and evaluation of an individual's accomplishments, considering their performance, leadership, and the impact of their contributions to NATO activities. The decision to award the medal is ultimately made by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe or the NATO Secretary-General.

Design and Symbolism: 

The NATO Meritorious Service Medal features a circular medal with the NATO emblem in the center, surrounded by the inscription "MERITORIOUS SERVICE" on the outer edge. The ribbon of the medal consists of alternating vertical stripes of blue, representing the NATO flag, and gold, symbolizing excellence and distinction.

Recognition and Significance: 

The NATO Meritorious Service Medal serves as a distinguished recognition of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the principles and objectives of the NATO alliance. It highlights the importance of collaboration, professionalism, and excellence in contributing to the overall success of NATO missions, operations, and activities. The medal symbolizes the bond between member nations and the collective effort in preserving peace, security, and stability.

Conclusion: 

The NATO Meritorious Service Medal represents the alliance's appreciation for the remarkable contributions and achievements of individuals who have gone above and beyond in supporting NATO's mission. It serves as a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and cooperation that are essential in achieving common goals and objectives. As NATO continues to adapt to new challenges and maintain its commitment to collective defense, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal remains an enduring symbol of excellence and camaraderie among member nations.

Breedlove: Terrorism, Russian Aggression Concerns NATO

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ISTANBUL, September 13, 2015 — Russian aggression is of concern to the 28-member NATO alliance, with Moscow likely knowing that going into Ukraine is much different than "crossing a NATO border," the commander of U.S. forces in Europe said.

"The issue of a revanchist Russia, which is now changing borders in Europe by force, has sort of brought everybody's attention," said Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command.

He spoke to reporters yesterday, after a day-long meeting here of NATO chiefs of defense.

"Today one thing came up again and again, and that thing is unity," Breedlove said. "Our alliance is as unified as I've ever seen it."

The threat of terrorism is another problem facing the alliance, as returning foreign fighters or other extremists take advantage of refugee migrations and move in the flow of people, Breedlove said.

‘Ungoverned Space’

Host nation Turkey, he noted, borders "ungoverned space" in Syria and Iraq. It is a challenge not only for Turkey, but also for NATO.

The bloc will address both Russia and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, he said.

"Our alliance is big enough to do it, our nations have the capability to do it," he said. "With the political will, and the military will, which I saw here, I am encouraged by the fact that we see this as something we don't have to decide one or the other."

While NATO does not have a mandate to address the migrant crisis in Europe, Breedlove said, the alliance could do a mission in conjunction with other organizations such as the European Union or United Nations.

"We could play a part if asked and if our political leadership gives us the mandate," he said.

Resolute Support

The military chiefs discussed NATO's mission in Afghanistan, Resolute Support.

"Our commitment to Afghanistan is firm," Breedlove said. "Our focus is on the future and our enduring partnership shows our determination to help the Afghans preserve the gains we have achieved together."

The chairman of the NATO Military Committee Conference, Czech Gen. Petr Pavel, said the military leaders stressed the need to ensure NATO forces and equipment can move rapidly across the alliance.

NATO’s greatest responsibility, he said, is to protect and defend the 28 member states against any threat.

"Terrorism poses a direct threat to the security of NATO, and to international stability and prosperity more broadly and will remain a threat for the foreseeable future," Pavel said in his closing remarks Saturday.

"The security of the alliance is indivisible. We stand in solidarity against terrorism of any kind, its root causes and its wider consequences," he said.

Russia in Syria

The United States and international community, Breedlove said, are "watching with concern" Russia's activities in Syria. However, he said he does not know what exactly those activities are.

"We have heard everything from humanitarian operations to combat operations, so it remains to be seen what this will be in the end," Breedlove said. "What we are most concerned about is any operations that would continue to support the Assad regime and its terrible actions against its own people."

While Russia has crossed into Ukraine, Russian President Vladmir Putin would understand "fully what crossing a NATO boundary is," Breedlove said.

"Clearly, Mr. Putin has made decisions and they have used force to invade and now occupy Ukraine's Crimea and they have used force to invade and now occupy portions of the Donbas, but I think that crossing those international borders is clearly different than crossing a NATO border," Breedlove said.

Alliance Unity

There is an "intense period of training exercises across the land, sea and air domains" coming up in October, he said, adding "I'm extremely confident that our military capability is remaining and will remain as potent as ever."

He hailed U.S. cooperation with Turkey in the fight against ISIL. Turkey recently joined the air campaign and allows its Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey to be used for air operations against ISIL.

The cooperation at Incirlik is "spectacular," with a "superior team forming," Breedlove said. "Right now, I cannot be more complimentary of the team as they work together against this tough problem."