The German Armed Forces Deployment Medal (or Einsatzmedaille der Bundeswehr in German) is a decoration of the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, awarded for military service in a designated military campaign.
It is awarded to all German soldiers regardless of rank. It is also the only type of German campaign medal awarded, the only difference is the campaign bar worn on the medal and ribbon.
The decoration has three grades. The grade is awarded without consideration of rank but by the time a served in the designated campaign area:
- Bronze for 30 days in theatre.
- Silver is for 360 days in theatre.
- Gold for 690 days in theatre.
The medal has been awarded for 56 different operations or missions since its establishment. The medal is issued with a clasp denoting foreign the operation recognized by the medal. Like the medal the clasp is either, bronze, silver or gold.
The German Armed Forces Deployment Medal Design
The medal is round, on its center in the obverse is displayed the German eagle surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, the reverse side is plain. The combat version differs slightly from standard grades in that the medal is always golden with a black and red rim and a black eagle.
The ribbon has two black stripes on the edges with two red stripes beside it and two golden stripes on the in side with another bold red stripe in the middle, the ribbon bar has the campaign bar attached to it.
