It was awarded to members of the security forces and British South Africa Police for service on operations undertaken for the purpose of combatting terrorists or enemy incursions into Rhodesia.

[2] The medal was struck in cupro-nickel by Matthews Manufacturing of Bulawayo,[3] and bore a relief portrait of Cecil Rhodes on the obverse and the arms of Rhodesia on the reverse.

The ribbon of the medal represented the British South Africa Police (central stripes of Oxford blue and old gold); the Rhodesian Army (guardsman red) and the Rhodesian Air Force (Cambridge blue).

The medal was impressed in small capitals with the recipient's name, rank and service number on the rim.

"Tens of thousands" of Rhodesian General Service Medals were issued.