The Minister of Defence decides by individual decree each theatre of operations in which the medal may be earned, the start and end dates for award eligibility, and the minimal time in theatre required to earn the award.

The minimum time required in theatre may be waived for personnel that are killed, wounded, cited with the War Cross for foreign operational theaters or Cross for Military Valour, or repatriated early for medical reasons.

[2] Civilian personnel eligible are those placed at the disposal of the military authority or actively taking part in the mission in view of their function or specific job.

[3] The medal may be awarded to foreign military and civilians having served under French command, subject to approval by their own governments.

The reverse is arranged akin a stylized globe, at the center, the relief image of a vertical sword pointing up within an olive wreath, the inscription "MÉDAILLE COMMÉMORATIVE FRANÇAISE" (English: "FRENCH COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL") superimposed over it in relief.