Order of Military Merit (Canada)

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Order of Military Merit

Commander's badge of the Order of Military Merit
Awarded by Queen of Canada
Type Order (decoration)
Eligibility Standing membership in the Canadian Forces.
Awarded for Dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty.
Status Currently constituted
Sovereign Elizabeth II
Chancellor Michaëlle Jean
Principal Commander Rick Hillier
Grades Commander, Officer, Member
Statistics
Established July 1, 1972[1][2]
Distinct
recipients		 20
Precedence
Next (higher) Queen's Counsel
Next (lower) Order of Merit of the Police Forces

The Order of Military Merit is an Order issued by Canada to members of the Canadian Forces, both Regular and Reserves, who have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty.[1][2] The Order honours them for their commitment to Canada.[1][2]

Contents

[edit] Classes

The Order of Military Merit has three classes:

  • Commander (C.M.M.)[1] - Recognizes outstanding meritorious service and demonstrated leadership in duties of great responsibility.[1][2]
  • Officer (O.M.M.)[1] - Recognizes outstanding meritorious service in duties of responsibility.[1][2]
  • Member (M.M.M.)[1] - Recognizes exceptional service or performance of duty.[1][2]

[edit] Awarding

Only high ranking military members are eligible for the Order of Military Merit. The Queen is the Sovereign of the Order and the Governor General is the Chancellor and Commander of the Order while the Chief of the Defense Staff is the Principal Commander. In Canada the Governor General awards the Order of Military Merit to recipients on behalf of the Queen.

[edit] Design

[edit] Badge

The badge of the Order is a blue enamelled[1][2] cross pattée, in gilt for Commanders and Officers, in silver for Members.[2] The central disc bears a maple leaf that is red enamelled leaf on golden background for Commanders, golden leaf on golden background for Officers, silver leaf on silver background for Members, which is surrounded by a red enamel ring bearing the words "Merit - Mérite - Canada", and topped by a crown.[1][2] Commanders wear the badge on a necklet, while Officers and Members wear their badges suspended by a gilt or silver bar decorated with a laurel motif, on a ribbon on the left chest.

[edit] Member

The badge of the order is a blue-enamelled, straight-end cross pattée (four arms, narrow at the centre and expanding towards the ends).[2] The badge is edged in silver (MMM).[1][2] The maple leaf in the centre of the badge is red.[1][2] The annulus is red with lettering in silver (MMM),[1][2] and is surmounted by a St. Edward's Crown.[2]

[edit] Ribbon

The ribbon of the Order is blue with golden edges.[1][2] The "Officer" and "Member" awards are a single upright vertical sections of fabric, while the "Commander" awards are a double section of fabric that are crossed together and put so that the edges cross to hold the badge.[1][2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Governor-General - Order of Military Merit (english). Retrieved on 2 January 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Veterans Affairs - Order of Military Merit (english). Retrieved on 2 January 2008.
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