Annex E – Meritorious Service Decorations (MSDs)

Introduction

1. Meritorious Service Decorations (MSDs) are national honours awarded to recognize outstanding deeds or activity.
2. The regulations governing the decorations are reprinted in Appendix 1.
3. MSDs are awarded in two divisions: military and civil. The ribbons for the civil division have an additional, thin, central, white stripe.
4. Military personnel may be awarded a MSD (military division) to recognize the performance of a military deed or a military activity as stipulated in the regulations. Any person, military or otherwise, may be awarded a MSD (civil division) if the civil criteria are met.
5. The two levels reflect the varying degrees of merit demonstrated:
   1. Meritorious Service Cross (MSC)
      1. Military Division. Awarded for the performance of a military deed or a military activity in an outstandingly professional manner or of an uncommonly high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to the CF. (Refer to full description in Annex E, Appendix 1, paragraph 6(1).)
      2. Civil Division. Awarded for the performance of a deed or activity in an outstandingly professional manner or of an uncommonly high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to Canada. (Refer to full description in Annex E, Appendix 1, paragraph 6(2).)
   2. Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
      1. Military Division. Awarded for the performance of a military deed or a military activity in a highly professional manner or of a very high standard that brings considerable benefit or honour to the CF. (Refer to full description in Annex E, Appendix 1, paragraph 7(1).)
      2. Civil Division. Awarded for the performance of a deed or activity in a highly professional manner or of a very high standard that brings considerable benefit or honour to Canada. (Refer to full description in Annex E, Appendix 1, paragraph 7(2).)

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Recommendations

6. Recommendations for the award of a MSD (military division) shall be prepared and forwarded to NDHQ/DH&R in accordance with Chapter 2. Recommendations for the award of an MSD (civil division) to deserving DND civil employees or other civilian persons who have performed meritorious service for or in conjunction with DND are not processed through DH&R, CFDAC or the CDS but may be submitted directly by the appropriate L1 to CARS in accordance with the criteria, guidelines and forms available on the GG’s website.

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