Medals / ribbons / awards are not worn on outerwear.
A cadet may be awarded a Canadian Order, Decoration or Medal (e.g., the Queen’s Jubilee Medal) as part of the Canadian Honours System (CHS). Refer to A-DH-300-000/JD-001 Canadian Honours and Awards. Corps / Squadron COs shall contact the chain of command for information regarding the wearing of these medals. Medals awarded through the National Cadet Honours and Awards are not part of the CHS. This chapter only refers to medals awarded through the National Cadet Honours and Awards.
Method of mounting and wearing orders, decorations and medals
Wearing of Medals. The wearing of medals is as follows:
medals shall only be worn on the jacket with C1 order of dress;
medals shall be suspended above the right breast pocket of the jacket, immediately above and centred;
when two or more medals are awarded, they shall be worn in order of precedence, without interval, with the highest priority medal closest to the centre of the chest. Medals shall hang in one row so that they are fully visible. Should this not be possible because of the number being worn, medals shall be overlapped horizontally, the one with the highest priority showing in full. Normally, five or more medals require overlapping. The maximum width of the mounting is governed by the physique of the individual. The bar shall not project beyond the arm seam of the jacket once the mounting is centred with the jacket pocket. The illustrated reference for placement of medals can be found in Figure 5A-1 at Annex A; and
medals and accoutrements can be worn on formal civilian attire suitable for ceremonial occasions (e.g., business suit with jacket and tie).
Wearing of Ribbons. The wearing of ribbons is as follows:
ribbons may be worn with C2, C3 and C3B orders of dress;
ribbons shall be centred immediately above the right breast pocket of the jacket or shirt. The illustrated reference for placement of ribbons can be found in Figure 5B-1 at Annex B; and
when two or more ribbons are worn, they shall be worn in rows, without interval between the ribbons and the rows. A maximum of three ribbons shall be worn per row. If a fourth medal is awarded, a second row of ribbons is required. Each new row shall be centred on the lower row. Ribbons shall be worn in order of precedence from left to right of the wearer, with the highest priority ribbon closest to the centre of the chest on the top row if more than one row is required. Where a single ribbon constitutes a row, it shall be centred above a lower row. Standard arrangements of ribbons by rows are illustrated in Figure 5C-1 at Annex C.
Court Mountings. Medals and ribbons may be court mounted at no cost to the public. The length from the top of the medal bar suspender to the bottom edge of the medal shall be 10 cm. The ribbons and medals shall be mounted on a panel, its size determined by the number of medals worn. The lower edge of the panel shall be in line with the centre of the medals. Commencing from the lower edge, each ribbon shall run up the front of the panel to the top and back down to the medal. There is no minimum number of medals required for court mounting.
Commendations and Awards
National Commendations
Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation. A gold plated, satin-finished insignia, consisting of a bar with three maple leaves, measuring 2 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. Reference for placement is illustrated in Figure 5D-1 at Annex D.
Command Commendation (VCDS/RCN/CA/RCAF Commendations). A silver plated, satin-finished insignia, consisting of a bar with three maple leaves, measuring 2 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. Reference for placement is illustrated in Figure 5D-1 at Annex D.
Cadet Commendations
Cadet Commendation Pin. A silver-plated insignia, consisting of a bar with a single maple leaf, measuring 2 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. Reference for placement is illustrated in Figure 5D-2 at Annex D.
Navy League of Canada Award of Commendation. A silver-plated insignia, consisting of a bar with a single anchor leaf, measuring 2 cm long by 0.75 cm wide. Reference for placement is illustrated in Figure 5D-2 at Annex D.
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards. Awarded to members of participating organizations, whose members are between the ages of 14 and 25 years and who, as individuals, are participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The oval shaped metal pin, displaying the cypher of HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh, is awarded in bronze, silver, or gold, depending upon the level of the award achieved. Reference for placement is illustrated in Figure 5D-4 at Annex D.
Method of Wearing Commendations and Awards
Command Commendations are worn IAW CAF Dress Instructions(A-DH-265-000/AG-001). Commendation pins and Duke of Edinburgh pins are worn centred on the right breast pocket, equidistant between the lower seam and the lower edge of the pocket flap of both the jacket and shirt. If medals are worn, commendations and Duke of Edinburgh pins are worn equidistantly between the bottom of the medal and the lower seam of the pocket.
Multiple Commendations and Awards. If a cadet has multiple commendation pins, or a commendation pin and a Duke of Edinburgh pin, they are worn one above the other (0.5 cm apart) in the following order of precedence:
