Topic: New Governor General Service Medal?

[Occam]

You've never been on a parade where the dress has been specified as 1A's or the boss has stated "DEU with medals"?

Both are a directive to wear your medals.

Yes, I've been on more than my fair share of them, to be honest.  Those directives are to prevent people from showing up in #3 order of dress (with undress ribbons).

I've never had anyone comparing my gongs worn on parade against my MPRR, and on a couple of occasions I've gone gongless because they've been away getting remounted.  Not once has anyone ever questioned the absence of my decorations, and much to my disappointment, no one has anyone ever said "Hold it there fella, we can't let you go on parade, you'll be out of dress".   

edit:  Figure 6A-2 of CFP 265 mentions that under the 1A order of dress, "Orders, decorations, and medals may be worn".

[recceguy]

No matter the meaning or interpretation, as perceived by some, it's still a directive to wear them. Whether or not you've ever been checked is immaterial. If you have them and show up without them, you are out of dress (same reason they specify it, by your argument). There are certain things expected of a serviceperson, that go without saying. Honesty and integrity are a couple of them.

[Occam]

No matter the meaning or interpretation, as perceived by some, it's still a directive to wear them. Whether or not you've ever been checked is immaterial. If you have them and show up without them, you are out of dress (same reason they specify it, by your argument). There are certain things expected of a serviceperson, that go without saying. Honesty and integrity are a couple of them.

That's not what I said.  I said that despite my showing up for parade lacking the medals awarded to me, I have never been told that I couldn't go on parade because I would've been out of dress.

Personally, I wear my medals on all occasions which call for them.  Nevertheless, I still don't think there is anything in the regs which makes it mandatory to wear decorations which have been awarded.  Honesty and integrity have nothing to do with the issue of refusing to wear a particular medal or medals, and that's a bit of a red herring.  If it were an issue, I'm sure I would've been jacked up for being out of dress when my gongs were away getting remounted - but there was nary a query about their whereabouts.

[MCG]

edit:  Figure 6A-2 of CFP 265 mentions that under the 1A order of dress, "Orders, decorations, and medals may be worn".

Of course, para 6 of chapter 4 states that:

The insignia of
Canadian, Commonwealth and foreign
orders, decorations and medals shall be
worn in order of precedence without
interval, with the senior closest to the
centre of the chest. See Chapter 2 to A-AD-
200-000/AG-000, The Honours, Flags and
Heritage Structure of the CF.

If one is omitting awarded medals, then they are not wearing them in the order of precedence.

[recceguy]

I'm sure even a crusty old SSM would not be expected to know every person who had medals, or what they were. I'm also sure any 'reasonable' excuse would be accepted for not wearing them (being remounted). However, if I heard "Tommorrow's parade is in DEU with medals" I would consider it a direct order. My honesty, to myself, would say "Yes, I have them". My integrity would say "Wear them as directed". That's where I'm coming from on that.

I understand why it would be wasteful for some to wear the decorations awarded to them. They would only be covered up by the barrack room lawyer shingle that’s hanging around their neck anyway.

Not saying this about you, just saying.

Anyway, I'm not going to debate the legal meaning of 'should, will and shall'. I deal enough with that one at work.

[Occam]

Of course, para 6 of chapter 4 states that:If one is omitting awarded medals, then they are not wearing them in the order of precedence.

Sure they are.  The ones worn are still in the correct order of precedence.

I'm sure even a crusty old SSM would not be expected to know every person who had medals, or what they were. I'm also sure any 'reasonable' excuse would be accepted for not wearing them (being remounted). However, if I heard "Tommorrow's parade is in DEU with medals" I would consider it a direct order. My honesty, to myself, would say "Yes, I have them". My integrity would say "Wear them as directed". That's where I'm coming from on that.

Again, if it were an issue, I'm sure a crusty old SSM would be expected to inquire about a complete absence of medals on a member with over 20 years of service.

I understand why it would be wasteful for some to wear the decorations awarded to them. They would only be covered up by the barrack room lawyer shingle that’s hanging around their neck anyway.

Not saying this about you, just saying.

Others have previously indicated that they have refused (or intended to refuse) the wear of decorations (here and here, for example) and they weren't pressed on the matter.  I think it's possible that some are focusing more on the messenger than the message.

Not saying this about you, just saying.   

As I said before, I wear my decorations - all of them.  Others may not be inclined to do so for various reasons.  The regs are something less than clear on the issue.

[recceguy]

I think it's possible that some are focusing more on the messenger than the message.

Then you think wrong. You made it quite clear that you wear yours, ergo I couldn't be speaking of you. Perhaps it's not us who is not reading clearly?

Anyway, cheers

Outta here.

[c4th]

Simple:

- One medal, with a bar awarded for each GG you have served under.

I found a photo of the Good Idea Train

[Haggis]

I found a photo of the Good Idea Train

...and I think this thread was somewhere in the second boxcar from the bottom.

[E.R. Campbell]

If we are going to award this gong IAW Haggis' excellent idea - a bar for each GG who served while the member served - then it can be awarded only at release/retirement, right? Thus serving members will never wear it and retired members can add it to their rack or not, as they see fit. Seems like a perfectly sensible idea, aside from the fact that it's a total waste of time, effort and money. I'm surprised it isn't policy already. </sarcasm>

[Old Sweat]

And besides, Edward, you and I will be hanging a ladder on our chests. Let's see, starting with Massey, Vanier and Michener, and then going downhill with political hacks and superannuated cabinet ministers.

[Haggis]

If we are going to award this gong IAW Haggis' excellent idea - a bar for each GG who served while the member served - then it can be awarded only at release/retirement, right? Thus serving members will never wear it and retired members can add it to their rack or not, as they see fit. Seems like a perfectly sensible idea, aside from the fact that it's a total waste of time, effort and money. I'm surprised it isn't policy already. </sarcasm>

No, with the appointment of each new GG, all bases, stations and garrisons will have a, um... "bar" parade to present new bars before the troops head off to the bars to celebrate having received another bar.

And besides, Edward, you and I will be hanging a ladder on our chests. Let's see, starting with Massey, Vanier and Michener, and then going downhill with political hacks and superannuated cabinet ministers.

Clearly, we'll need a much longer ribbon than normal.  Perhaps the medal can be worn around the neck?

[E.R. Campbell]

...
Clearly, we'll need a much longer ribbon than normal.  Perhaps the medal can be worn around the neck?

Oh neat, kinda like a second third fourth whatever rate Companion of the Order of Something or Other; I haven't got one of those.

Maybe the "Order of Hanging About While Everyone Else Deployed.' (OHAWEED) Bingo! I think we've done it!

[Rifleman62]

No, with the appointment of each new GG, all bases, stations and garrisons will have a, um... "bar" parade to present new bars before the troops head off to the bars to celebrate having received another bar.

Maybe that should be troops head to the shack to take off the old bar, replace with a new bar, then head to the bar to celebrate having received another bar.

Clearly, we'll need a much longer ribbon than normal.  Perhaps the medal can be worn around the neck?

Not required if the bars are replaced. This procedure will insure the soldiers know who is the GG.

[Michael O'Leary]

And the rosette for select GGs will look like this:




 

[CountDC]

oh god     must need  realllllly bad or  to the head.  This is starting to make sense.

[E.R. Campbell]

oh god     must need  realllllly bad or  to the head.  This is starting to make sense.

Of course it does! It's really a good idea after all ... well not so good for Old Sweat who will suffer a herniated disk from the strain created by carrying the weight of all those GG bars on his gong.

Bring on the bling! Bling for everyone! 

[CountDC]

Can we include Cadets?  That way my son can get some bling too!!

Got to think of the family.

[PMedMoe]

Can we include Cadets?  That way my son can get some bling too!!

Got to think of the family.

I think all immediate family (parents, children, spouses, siblings) should receive a "Support the Troops" medal as they have supported us throughout our careers.

Bling all around!!   

[E.R. Campbell]

I think all immediate family (parents, children, spouses, siblings) should receive a "Support the Troops" medal as they have supported us throughout our careers.

Bling all around!!   

And don't forget the lovely barmaids in my local, who support the veterans!

Bling for them, too, in recognition of their special contribution to the defence of the realm in times of crisis - like during playoff hockey games when the place is full and they always remember to make sure my glass is always full. 

[E.R. Campbell]

Have we, finally, got this yet another new medal thingy settled? 
 

[Journeyman]

Can we include Cadets?  That way my son can get some bling too!!

See? That's what I'm talking about -- that whole generations' sense of entitlement.
He wants meaningless bling, tell him to start his own facebook petition 


 


....who knows, maybe some non-Canadian government will use their budget to create one for him

[CountDC]

See? That's what I'm talking about -- that whole generations' sense of entitlement.
He wants meaningless bling, tell him to start his own facebook petition 


 


....who knows, maybe some non-Canadian government will use their budget to create one for him

Now Now - I didn't say he wanted it, I did specify I was thinking of the family.  Actually it would be one more thing for me to torture him about, along with ironing his uniform, polishing his boots and wearing a wallet on his head. 

[medicineman]

Have we, finally, got this yet another new medal thingy settled? 

Apparently not.

MM

[Journeyman]

Apparently not.

Hey, it's only been going since April 23, 2007, 15:45:32.
Although I don't know why it wasn't moved down to Radio Chatter back then, you still have to allow the "voters to decide" -- I guess they just need a wee bit more time.