The General Service Medal 2008 (GSM 08) was introduced in 2015 for award to Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, and RAF personnel[1] to recognise specified operations since January 2008, not qualifying for another campaign medal.

The first awards of the medal were made by Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon at a ceremony on 12 June 2016.

[2] The GSM 08 is a circular silver medal, 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter.The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Elizabeth II, with the inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID DEF.The reverse bears a design featuring a figure of Britannia holding a trident standing ahead of a lion, symbolising Britain, with, below, the inscription FOR CAMPAIGN SERVICE, with the whole encircled by an oak leaf wreath.

[2] Further operations deemed sufficient to warrant the award of the medal will see the addition of more clasps.

[1] Service in subsequent qualifying operations is reflected by additional clasps added to the existing GSM medal.