Topic: New Governor General Service Medal?

[recceguy]

I don't think anyone was really arguing for or against the medal based on name, I think the point was that if we are going to have it then lets at least give it a proper name and leave the GG out of it.

Here is another question:

Does everyone get the medal regardless of release reason?  example - Johnny gets booted for using drugs too many times, does he deserve a medal to show off? 

Check out the Australian criteria.

I have never heard of someone getting a 'dishonourable', and getting the medal, for starters you must do a mininum of 4 yrs service and/or met the critera for this award.

Cheers,

Wes

So far this medal is no more than someone's pipe dream. Some people within Canada are petitioning the government for it's adoption. The government, to this point, has shown no real interest. As a result, no criteria has been evolving. i.e.: who gets it.

IF it comes about, and IF the government decides to study it, it will be properly staffed and executed, including the requirements for elegibility. While the committee MAY research it, they are under no obligations to look at, consult or depend upon what some other country deems appropriate for it's people. It will be a Canadian award for Canadians, or whomever the criteria fits. I don't care what the US or Australia does. What they have to do for their award is immaterial to us. While other countries have similar awards, I only need to read about them once to understand it and consider the points for discussion.

[LineJumper]

I fear this new medal will be insufficiently inclusive.  Therefore, I propose another new decoration:

The TAJUBNGMAOTC, or  "Thought  About Joining Up But Never Got My *** Off The Couch" medal.

Google is apparently not my friend. I was looking for a poster I saw once in Bosnia with faux medals that was really quite humourous.

[Michael O'Leary]

Google is apparently not my friend. I was looking for a poster I saw once in Bosnia with faux medals that was really quite humourous.

This one?:

[LineJumper]

That's exactly it, thanks Michael

[CountDC]

So far this medal is no more than someone's pipe dream. Some people within Canada are petitioning the government for it's adoption. The government, to this point, has shown no real interest. As a result, no criteria has been evolving. i.e.: who gets it.

IF it comes about, and IF the government decides to study it, it will be IMproperly staffed and executed, including the requirements for elegibility. While the committee MAY research it, they are under no obligations to look at, consult or depend upon what some other country deems appropriate for it's people but will to drag it out and make more money off the tax payers. It will be a Canadian award for Canadians, or whomever the criteria fits. I don't care what the US or Australia does. What they have to do for their award is immaterial to us me. While other countries have similar awards, I only need to read about them once to understand it and consider the points for discussion.

there was a point in there correct?

[recceguy]

there was a point in there correct?

The point was exactly as stated, sorry if you have trouble comprehending it. Most don't, but I can't write to everyone's intellect, or lack thereof. Maybe I can figure out how to draw stick figures here.

Don't be putting words in my post that I never intended. I don't care if you agree, so quit trolling.

As for the minor spelling correction, you're friggin' brilliant, you must be proud.

[Good2Golf]

Staying on topic works well for these kinds of things, folks.

Let's keep the P in PM, danke.


Milnet.ca Staff

[CountDC]

The point was exactly as stated, sorry if you have trouble comprehending it. Most don't, but I can't write to everyone's intellect, or lack thereof. Maybe I can figure out how to draw stick figures here.

Don't be putting words in my post that I never intended. I don't care if you agree, so quit trolling.

As for the minor spelling correction, you're friggin' brilliant, you must be proud.

Oh, I see the point - it was that you didn't like that people were discussing the medal and the possibilities, looking at other countries to see what they have done and in general not jumping on your band wagon.

It's funny that you mention troll as that is how I viewed your post - a troll into a question and answer between me and OWDU.

[recceguy]

Oh, I see the point - it was that you didn't like that people were discussing the medal and the possibilities, looking at other countries to see what they have done and in general not jumping on your band wagon.

It's funny that you mention troll as that is how I viewed your post - a troll into a question and answer between me and OWDU.

The thread doesn't belong to you and some select group . Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, whether you like it or not.

You also need a new group of friends, because the person you got to explain my post to you, seems to be as equally challenged in the english language department as you are.

Feel free to keep yanking the thread of course with your personal pissing contest

[Swingline1984]

So far this medal is no more than someone's pipe dream. Some people within Canada are petitioning the government for it's adoption. The government, to this point, has shown no real interest. As a result, no criteria has been evolving. i.e.: who gets it.

I beg to differ, the NDP is all over it  :  http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=4330129&file=4

I also noticed Bill C-231: An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Special Service Medal for Domestic Emergency Relief Operations (also NDP) was not re-introduced in the 40th Parliament (it had been kicking around since 2004) so this is obviously a re-jigged attempt to establish some type of recognition, for in all honesty, just being a dude in uniform.

[Technoviking]

How about a medal for Op HALO first?

Just saying

[medicineman]

How about a medal for Op HALO first?

Just saying

I second that one...I'm sure the young guy that left here with 1CFH will have his SSM well before I retire - which will likely be when we see the OP Halo medal  .

MM

[recceguy]

I beg to differ, the NDP is all over it  :  http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=4330129&file=4

I also noticed Bill C-231: An Act respecting the establishment and award of a Special Service Medal for Domestic Emergency Relief Operations (also NDP) was not re-introduced in the 40th Parliament (it had been kicking around since 2004) so this is obviously a re-jigged attempt to establish some type of recognition, for in all honesty, just being a dude in uniform.

I believe neither is the same as the award being discussed. All three seem to differ completely in the perceived criteria and overall purpose. Just my take on the whole smoz though, I could be reading it wrong.

[Swingline1984]

I believe neither is the same as the award being discussed. All three seem to differ completely in the perceived criteria and overall purpose. Just my take on the whole smoz though, I could be reading it wrong.

I think you're right.  After a re-read I noticed I missed the drop dead date of 1989.

[Journeyman]

OK, I know I said I was done with this thread, but........now you're saying there are people out there trying to create three new medals:

- Defence of Canada Medal (1946-1989), for personally having defeated the godless communist hoards;

- Special Service Medal for Domestic Emergency Relief Operations, for watching troops shoveling out Toronto bus shelters (even though the buses weren't running), or standing by to dog-paddle south of Winnipeg because nobody figured the annual floods would happen....again ; and

- Governor-General's Service Medal, for....well, for having actually made it through BMQ.




Dumb idea³
.....I may have to work on my tan and start calling myself the last King of Scotland.   


OK, now I'm done -- I hope I can sleep nights, waiting.   

[LineJumper]

- Special Service Medal for Domestic Emergency Relief Operations, for watching troops shoveling out Toronto bus shelters (even though the buses weren't running), or standing by to dog-paddle south of Winnipeg because nobody figured the annual floods would happen....again ; and

Come on, some of us did alot of poleclimbing on icy poles, and I learned that filling sandbags with little conveyor belt/hopper thingy kicks arse over a shovel. Driving around with an HL dropping off troops to dig scrapes in Kelowna was terribly exhausting. Oh yeah, without possible flooding in BC, I'd not have had the distinct pleasure of piloting an LS over the Coquihala.

Just sayin....

 

[Swingline1984]

...now you're saying there are people out there trying to create three new medals:

Only 1 person.  The other 2 are being pushed by the NDP, a species similar to a small root vegetable.

[Bruce Monkhouse]

If I had wanted, or cared, about a medal I would have stayed in the 2 3 [oops, forgot the forfeiture ] more years.....................

Spend my 30 bucks on a delivered meal for a shut-in Vet.

[Petamocto]

I think the comparison with the Americans is a non-starter.

Few of us would argue that they may over-recognize people (the stereotypical "here's a ribbon for tying your boots"), however they also recognize people in good ways too.

We have guys doing amazing things on tour and then due to our red tape the poor guys doesn't get his medal for three years.  Americans can pop a medal on a guy when he gets back to the FOB.  Do they get it wrong sometimes?  Maybe, but they also get it right 90% of the time and for all those guys who deserve it, they're recognized properly as opposed to when they get home and are posted to a different unit with different people.

Anyway, back to the topic of this medal, I think people can be recognized for a general/voluntary-type medal, as long as everyone is treated equally. 

The only thing I can't stand is when they come out with the kinds of medals like the Jubilee where only a few thousand are awarded with completely wide open arcs and no criteria, so a general's numpty captain aide gets the thing instead of the soldiers who have burned a few more calories in their service to Canada.

[kj_gully]

I think presenting a "coin" would be appropriate. We can add that one to the growing pile in each of our sock drawers, with the most meaningful ones well and truly buried by the numerous Dental detachment officer commanding coins etc that are the current rage. There must have been a senoir leadership meeting on how the troops love to get tokens... (my wife is in Dental, the coin is fictional, for now..)

[Towards_the_gap]

Or perhaps a pin, like the UK version:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/vets_badge.htm

Uggh....I hate coins. Thankfully I have yet to receive one but I honestly DO NOT SEE THE POINT in handing someone a cheap bit of tin with an army crest on it. That is something we got from the Americans which I wish we would do away with. Reeks of pointless backslapping/chest thumping, 'look at me'-ism. Like the proposed medal.

[Michael O'Leary]

Coins may have their place, but they've been well abused by "cheapest bidder" product and produced in numbers so great that a commander (or RSM, etc.) hands one to every driver and clerk or staff officer they walk past, just because they're trying to empty their pocket of that visit's allocation of coinage.  But a coin won't satisfy the vocal crew wishing for a bit of chest bling.

A lapel pin could work, with the right official backing. It would be as valid as the recently produced pins that get handed out on retirement from the Reg F with all the other Depart with Dignity items.

It could be as simple as a quality design with the tri-force emblem and a banner beneath saying "I Served".  Authorize the design, produce it centrally, and let those who want one to wear purchase it.  Secondly, authorize a design pattern and let regiments and corps produce matching designs with their own badge emblems.  But, and this would be the important aspect, copyright the basic pattern as an official display of having served, and make the wearing of one fall under the same regulations as wearing a medal one hasn't earned (i.e., wearing it to imply that you did earn it). Make the symbol official and recognized by the public ... and then defend against it's use by others like the Legion does the poppy symbol.

[AmmoTech90]

A tri-service pin is handed out now.  My wife just got her release package, included a Certificate of Service, a nice letter and oval lapel pin with the tri-service crest and CANADA over the top and SERVICE in the lower rocker.
All in a nice white jewelry box with the tri-service crest on top.
This was on transferring to the sup reserve after around 16 years combined reg and reserve.

By the way, is retired member ID card only issued to those pers retired with a pension (please PM if you know the answer to keep this on topic).

[daftandbarmy]

Or perhaps a pin, like the UK version:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/vets_badge.htm

Uggh....I hate coins. Thankfully I have yet to receive one but I honestly DO NOT SEE THE POINT in handing someone a cheap bit of tin with an army crest on it. That is something we got from the Americans which I wish we would do away with. Reeks of pointless backslapping/chest thumping, 'look at me'-ism. Like the proposed medal.

The British have their own 'I served when there wasn't a real war on (except for NI) medal' campaign. Many would like an equivalent of the SSM issued for their Cold Warriors. Much commentary on ARRSE: http://www.arrse.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic/t=111585/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html

The nice but cheesy 'Vets Badge'? I've got one... meh. Nice thought, but not required, and not likely to make it onto my blazer collar in the near future.

And coins... don't get me started. We had a soldier presented with an LFC Comd's coin recently. He performed very well during a big drama involving the three Bs (bullets, bombs and blood) in AFG . "So why didn't they at least give him an MiD?" I said, "Shut up" they replied... oh well.

[Carcharodon Carcharias]

WRT Vets badges, Canada like other Commonwealth countries has had these since at least post WW1, with one serialed to the recipient, and had recognition for time served at the front.

Australia has the Returned from Active Service badge, which has changed only from King's crown to Queen's, and are given out along with the Australian Active Service Medal. The badge is so noted on your awards/dec's section of your pers file.

It identifies other Vets for social gatherings at ANZAC Day, Long Tan Day, Remberance Day etc, and most (if not all) of us wear them. Again a tradition here which is always well recieved by everyone.

This badge is for being on active service, not for general service.

I have that little bronze coloured CF pin which I also wear alongside the RAS badge, and I am just as proud of that as any embellishments I wear on certain occasions.

Regards,

OWDU