Mr John Teufert was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) on 28 February 2014, for distinguished service while assigned on NATO duties, by Mr Chuck Shawcross, Director of Strategy and NCI Agency The Hague Location Principal, on behalf of the NATO Secretary General.
The motivation was "Mr John Teufert has upheld the finest tradition of the Alliance by through an exceptional contribution which has brought great credit on himself and earned the respect and gratitude of everyone represented by the Alliance" by providing new and mission essential geospatial capabilities to remote ISAF SOF units in 2012/13.
The NATO Meritorious Service Medal was first awarded in 2003 to commend staff whose personal initiative and dedication went beyond their duty to make a difference both to their colleagues, and to NATO as an organization. The MSM remains the only significant award for individual personal effort for NATO staff; and can be awarded to Military and Civilian staff alike.