Appendix 8 – Expedition Bar to the Special Service Medal
- The EXPEDITION bar was created on 21 May 2014.
- The EXPEDITION bar recognizes service in operations and operational support which does not meet the risk, threat, hardship or op intensity requirements for other medals such as the General Service Medal (GSM) or the Operational Service Medal (OSM) (refer to Annexes N and O), but still warrants formal recognition given the service is performed under exceptional circumstances as per the Special Service Medal (SSM) Regulations and plays a critical role in fulfilling the CF mission abroad.
- The EXPEDITION bar recognizes an aggregate of 45 days of honourable service performed outside Canada beginning 1 July 2007.
- There is no multiplying factor.
(Reprint of Order in Council PC 2014-606 as amended by PC 2018-123)
Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, pursuant to subsection 4(3) and paragraph 5(b) of the Special Service Medal, amends Order in Council P.C. 2014-606 of May 21, 2014 by replacing "180 days" in subparagraph (a)(i) with "45 days".
- determines as special service, within the meaning of those Regulations, service which meets the following conditions:
- it is an aggregate of 45 days of honourable service beginning on or after July 1, 2007 performed while deployed outside of Canada on a temporary basis, without family and effects, for the specific purpose of participating in or providing direct support, on a full-time basis, to approved operations;
- the service is not a posting to a permanent position outside of Canada;
- the service is not counted as service towards any other Canadian or foreign service medal; and
- specifies that the Bar that is awarded with the SSM, representing the special service referred to in paragraph (a), is to bear the word “EXPEDITION”.
- determines as special service, within the meaning of those Regulations, service which meets the following conditions:
- Qualifying service for the Medal with EXPEDITION bar is detailed in Figure 9P8-1.
Figure 9P8-1 – Qualifying Service List for the Special Service Medal with Expedition Bar
Following the Queen’s passing and the ascension to the throne of King Charles III (8 September 2022), all commissioned RCN vessels are now known as His Majesty’s Canadian Ships and Submarines. As of 29 April 2014 Canadian civilians and members of allied forces working under the authority of the CAF qualify for the SSM |
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Mission |
Start date |
End Date |
Canadian OP Name |
Notes |
Service of CAF members deployed as staff members at the Third Location Decompression Site, Cyprus. |
01-Jul-07 |
31-Mar-14 |
N/A |
N/A |
Service of CAF Members deployed to various countries in eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, The Balkans, Africa, Central and South America to participate in Arms Control Verifications. |
01-Jul-07 |
Present |
Such as but not limited to OP VERIFY, OP ACTIVE SKIES, OP MENTOR, OP QUESTION, OP MITIGATE |
Part of OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and ACV (Arms Control Verification). Only time in the host nation from arrival to departure from point of entry is eligible. |
Service of CAF members deployed to various locations in the Caribbean (including but not limited to Comalapa, El Salvador, Curacao, Martinique and Key West, Florida, USA) serving in direct support to the CAF participation in the US-led Joint Task Force - South Mission (OP CARIBBE). |
01-Jul-07 |
Present |
OP CARIBBE |
Service on the ground (including air and ground crews) in Comalapa, EL Salvador, Curaçao and Martinique credit those days for SSM-EXP. Liaison Officer JIATF-S, Key West, Florida, USA. |
Service of CAF members with the Casualty Support Team, Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre, Landsthul, Germany. |
01-Jul-07 |
29-Mar-14 |
N/A |
N/A |
Service of CAF members with the Integrated Towed Array Sensor System (IUSS-SURTASS) while deployed on USN Ships performing surveillance in the South China, East China and Yellow Seas as well as part of the Sea of Japan (from the Paracel Islands to Vladivostok) |
01-Dec-07 |
Present |
N/A |
N/A |
Service of CAF members with the US Navy Central (NAVCENT), Naval Support Activity (NSA), Manamah, Bahrain. |
21-Apr-10 |
Present |
OP FOUNDATION / OP ARTEMIS |
Including but not limited to: Combined Maritime Force (CMF) Headquarters, since 21 Apr 10. US 5th Fleet Headquarters, since 31 Jul 12, including any "N" staff. Coalition Intelligence Fusion Centre (CFIC), since 21 May 14. Note: Previously approved for GSM-SWA. Personnel who were in position on 20 May 14 remain eligible for GSM-SWA for the remainder of that deployment only. Personnel arriving after 20 May 14 shall count time towards SSM-EXP. NAVCENT Liaison Officer (previously listed as Naval Liaison Officer), since 21 May 14. Note: Previously approved for GSM-SWA. Personnel who were in position on 20 May 14 remain eligible for GSM-SWA for the remainder of that deployment only. Personnel arriving after 20 May 14 shall count time towards SSM-EXP. Combined Task Force Headquarters (CTF HQ) 150, 151 and 152 (in support of OP ARTEMIS), since 21 May 14. |
Service of CAF members deployed to the Strategic Lines of Communication (SLOC) Detachments, renamed Operational Support Hubs (OS Hubs) on 15 March 2012, in Germany, Cyprus in Kuwait. |
01-Oct-10 |
Present |
N/A |
Spangdahlem, Germany: 1 Oct 10 – 9 Dec 11 |
Service of CAF members deployed with US Forces in Kuwait in direct support of the Iraq transition. |
01-Feb-11 |
31-Dec-11 |
OP NEW DAWN |
To provide advice, to assist with transition from the Department of Defence to the State Department and to assist with the retrograde of US Forces out of Iraq. |
Service of CAF members deployed to Malta. |
28-Feb-11 |
11-Mar-11 |
OP MOBILE |
N/A |
Service of CAF members with Task Force Jamaica within the political boundaries, territorial waters and airspace of Jamaica, in support of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). |
12-Aug-11 |
15-Nov-11 |
OP JAGUAR |
To provide SAR and MEDEVAC capabilities and to stand by for possible hurricanes. |
Service of CAF members deployed to Sigonella and Trapani, Italy, providing direct support to the Canadian efforts in Libya. |
01-Nov-11 |
Present |
OP LOBE |
Task Force TRIPOLI aircrew counts each day flown into Tripoli, Libya for the OSM-EXP and shall not count those days towards the SSM-EXP. |
Service of CAF members deployed to Forward Logistics Sites (FLS) in direct support to Canadian ships attached to the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, 151 or 152 (OP ARTEMIS), to the Operational Support Hub Kuwait, and while conducting activities in the port of Shuwaikh, Kuwait. |
22-Apr-12 |
04-Oct-14 |
OP ARTEMIS |
Eligibility on hold during OP IMPACT which qualifies for GSM-EXP instead. |
Service of CAF members with Air Task Force (ATF) Mali, in support of the French-led OP SERVAL from the Istres-Le Tubé Air Base, France. |
15-Jan-13 |
03-Apr-13 |
OP SERVAL (FR) |
ATF aircrew counts each day flown into Bamako, Mali, for the OSM-EXP and shall not count those days towards the SSM-EXP. |
Service of CAF members with USCENTCOM Forward – Jordan (CF-J), King Abdullah Special Operations Training Centre (KASOTC), Amman, Jordan. |
23-May-13 |
Present |
OP FOUNDATION |
N/A |
Service of CAF members deployed to Task Force Solomon Islands led by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Combined Joint TF 663 (CJTF 663) in the central province of the Solomon Islands, the Islands of Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands. |
05-Nov-13 |
Present |
OP RENDER SAFE |
To clear unexploded explosive ordinance (UXO) contaminating jungles and shorelines of countries in the South Pacific plagued by explosive remnants of war from the Second World War. |
Service of CAF members deployed in direct support of Task Force Nairobi. |
15-Dec-13 |
31-Aug-14 |
TF-N |
N/A |
Service of CAF members deployed as part of Multinational Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) clearance operations in the Baltic Sea. |
07-May-14 |
Present |
OP OPEN SPIRIT |
These missions are either led by Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia. One example was Task Force Latvia (TFL) led by the Latvian Naval Flotilla (CTG 360.01). |
Service of CAF members deployed to Albania; Cyprus; and Czech Republic, in direct support of OP IMPACT. |
12-Aug-14 |
28-Sep-14 |
OP IMPACT |
N/A |
Service of CAF members deployed as Cyber Planners in Direct support of OP IMPACT to the USARMY CYBER HQ, Fort Gordon, Georgia, USA. |
18-Jan-15 |
02-May-16 |
N/A |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Ukraine (until 23 Feb 22 only) and various locations in Europe or onboard HMC Ships and allied vessels as part or in direct support of OP UNIFIER. |
13-Jun-15 |
Present |
OP UNIFIER |
Eligibility for locations outside Ukraine (including but not limited to Germany, Latvia, Poland and the United Kingdom) and aboard ships begins on 13 Jan 22. Service inside the Ukraine from the start of the invasion on 24 Feb 22 is eligible for the OSM-EXP. |
Service of CAF members deployed to USCENTCOM, TF CENTREAL HQ, Tampa, Florida, as Intelligence Liaison Officer (INT LNO) or Mission Support Clerk (MSN SP CLK) in direct support of OP FOUNDATION. |
01-Apr-16 |
Present |
OP FOUNDATION |
N/A |
Service of CAF members deployed as Cyber Planners in Direct support of OP IMPACT to the USCYBERCOM HQ, Fort Meade, Maryland, USA. |
03-May-16 |
Present |
N/A |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania or Poland with US units as part of OP ATLANTIC RESOLVE. |
18-Jan-17 |
Present |
N/A |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed with OP PROJECTION outside the land, air space and territorial waters of Canada. |
18-Feb-17 |
Present |
OP PROJECTION |
Including but not limited to Defence Team members that are serving on Allied Ships or on land as part of Allied exercises or Operations and those in the air as part of Allied exercises or Operations as long as they are under the guise of OP PROJECTION.
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship CALGARY |
20-Aug-18 |
18-Dec-18 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship CALGARY |
14-Mar-21 |
14-Apr-21 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship CALGARY |
15-Jun-21 |
30-Jun-21 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship CHICOUTIMI |
26-Sep-17 |
27-Feb-18 |
POSEIDON CUTLASS 17-2 |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship GLACE BAY |
25-Jan-22 |
09-Apr-22 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship GOOSEBAY |
20-Jan-22 |
15-Apr-22 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship KINGSTON |
04-Feb-18 |
17-Apr-18 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship KINGSTON |
01-Feb-19 |
26-Apr-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship MONCTON |
18-Feb-17 |
27-Apr-17 |
NEPTUNE TRIDENT 17-1 |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship MONCTON |
20-Jan-22 |
15-Apr-22 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship MONTREAL |
26-Mar-23 |
22-Apr-23 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship MONTREAL |
7-May-23 |
23-May-23 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship OTTAWA |
28-Mar-17 |
28-Jul-17 |
POSEIDON CUTLASS 17-1 |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship OTTAWA |
17-Aug-19 |
26-Aug-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship OTTAWA |
03-Sep-19 |
07-Sep-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship OTTAWA |
11-Sep-19 |
23-Sep-19 |
PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship OTTAWA |
09-Oct-19 |
16-Oct-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship OTTAWA |
07-Nov-19 |
18-Dec-19 |
OPROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship REGINA |
25-Jun-19 |
20-Aug-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship REGINA |
06-Feb-19 |
16-Jun-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship SHAWINIGAN |
01-Feb-19 |
26-Apr-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship SHAWINIGAN |
25-Jan-22 |
09-Apr-22 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship SUMMERSIDE |
04-Feb-18 |
17-Apr-18 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship SUMMERSIDE |
18-Feb-17 |
27-Apr-17 |
NEPTUNE TRIDENT 17-1 |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship VANCOUVER |
03-Apr-18 |
26-Jun-18 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship VANCOUVER |
04-Aug-22 |
19-Sep-22 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship VANCOUVER |
21-Oct-22 |
05-Dec-22 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship VANCOUVER |
14-Aug-23 |
31-Aug-23 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship VANCOUVER |
29-Sep-23 |
12-Oct-23 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
His Majesty's Canadian Ship VANCOUVER |
06-Nov-23 |
18-Dec-23 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship WINDSOR |
08-Feb-18 |
20-Jun-18 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship WINNIPEG |
28-Mar-17 |
28-Jul-17 |
POSEIDON CUTLASS 17-1 |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship WINNIPEG |
07-Sep-20 |
03-Oct-20 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship WINNIPEG |
26-Oct-20 |
05-Nov-20 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship WINNIPEG |
20-Nov-20 |
18-Dec-20 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship WINNIPEG |
04-Aug-22 |
05-Dec-22 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Naval Replenishment Unit / MV ASTERIX |
06-Feb-19 |
16-Jun-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Naval Replenishment Unit / MV ASTERIX |
25-Jun-19 |
20-Aug-19 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Naval Replenishment Unit / MV ASTERIX |
20-Aug-18 |
18-Dec-18 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Naval Replenishment Unit / MV ASTERIX |
26-Mar-23 |
22-Apr-23 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Naval Replenishment Unit / MV ASTERIX |
7-May-23 |
23-May-23 |
OP PROJECTION |
|
Service of CAF members deployed to Royal Air Force Wyton, United Kingdom, as Full Motion Video (FMV) Analysts in direct support of OP IMPACT. |
15-Jun-17 |
Present |
OP IMPACT |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to various locations in Tunisia (including but not limited to Tunis, Bizerte, Gabes and El Hamma) and its territorial waters, to take part in OP EDIFICE, the CAF participation in the British-led capacity-building of the Tunisian army and navy. |
05-Nov-17 |
Present |
OP EDIFICE |
N/A |
Service of CAF members deployed to Senegal in direct support of OP PRESENCE. |
01-Jun-18 |
Present |
OP PRESENCE |
N/A |
CAF members deployed to provide medical and dental services to populations living in areas where such services are lacking. This includes but not limited to: |
10-Oct-18 |
Present |
OP GLOBE |
N/A |
Service aboard USNS Comfort in Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Peru; |
10-Oct-18 |
20-Dec-18 |
OP GLOBE |
N/A |
Service aboard USNS Comfort in Ecuador Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Curacao, Trinidad & Tobaggo, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts &Nevis, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Haiti; and |
12-June-19 |
15-Nov-19 |
OP GLOBE |
N/A |
Service aboard USNS Comfort in Guatemala, Honduras, Columbia, Dominican Republic, and Haiti. |
23-Oct-22 |
22-Dec-22 |
OP GLOBE |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed with the Long Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) Detachment to various locations (including but not limited to the Republic of Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates) in direct support of Op ARTEMIS. |
9-Mar-19 |
Present |
OP ARTEMIS |
LRPA air and ground crew time spent on the ground credit those days for the SSM-EXP. Aircrew flying into the defined theatre of operations for Op ARTEMIS credit those days for the OSM-EXP and shall not count those days for the SSM-EXP. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Japan in direct support of OP NEON such as but not limited to the crew for the RCAF Long Range Patrol Aircraft at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and staff at the International Enforcement Coordination Cell (ECC) at Yokosuka, Japan. |
14-May-19 |
Present |
OP NEON |
Aircrew flying and ship’s crew members sailing into the defined theatre of operations for op NEON credit those days for the OSM-EXP and shall not count those days for the SSM-EXP. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed as part of the Tactical Airlift Detachment – Uganda, to provide the UN cross-mission logistics tactical airlift in direct support of peace operations across Africa from the UN Regional Support Centre in Entebbe, Uganda. |
12-Aug-19 |
Present |
OP PRESENCE |
Note that personnel flying into the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan credit those days for the OSM-EXP and shall not count those days for the SSM-EXP. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Gako, Rwanda, and Entebbe, Uganda, to support the delivery of the Engagement Platoon Pilot Course and the United Nations Infantry Battalions Specialized Training Materials Development Pilot Course, in direct support of OP PRESENCE (TPSO). |
12-Aug-19 |
Present |
OP PRESENCE (TPSO) |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team (including aircrew) deployed to Kingston, Jamaica, in direct support to OP RENAISSANCE (19-01) to provide humanitarian aid and relief after Hurricane Dorian. |
06-Sep-19 |
12-Oct-19 |
OP RENAISSANCE |
Aircrew flying into, and other personnel deployed to, the Bahamas as part of OP Renaissance 19-01 credit those days spent in the Bahamas itself for the OSM-HUM and shall not count those days for the SSM-EXP. Only service in Kingston, Jamaica, will cumulate credit towards the SSM-EXP. |
Service of CAF members deployed with the Air Detachment Panama (Air-Det-P), at Pacifico International Airport, Panama City, and flying supplies into the following countries: Barbados, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, St-Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, in direct support of Op GLOBE. |
19-Jul-20 |
2-Aug-20 |
OP GLOBE |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Japan in direct support of the United States Indo-Pacific Theatre Support Package (CAF Op ORION) at Kadena Air Base, Japan. |
01-Dec-20 |
Present |
OP ORION |
Service on the ground (including air and ground crews) at Kadena Air Base, Japan credit those days for the SSM-EXP. Aircrew flying into the defined theatre of operations in direct support of the United States Indo-Pacific Theatre Support Package credit those days for the OSM-EXP and shall not count those days for the SSM-EXP. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, United States of America, under OP FOUNDATION. |
26-Mar-21 |
Present |
OP FOUNDATION |
This includes but is not limited to: Canadian detachment, United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) Control and Reporting Center (CRC) in direct support to Op FOUNDATION (KINGPIN) since 26 Mar 21; and |
Service of members of the Defense Team deployed to Belize, as part of the Air Detachment or the TPS-70 Ground Base Radar Unit under OP CARIBBE. |
09-May-21 |
Present |
OP CARIBBE |
Aircrew flying and ship’screw members sailing into the defined theatre of operations for OP CARIBBE credit those days for the OSM-EXP and shall not count those days for the SSM-EXP. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Bahrain; Köln-Bonn, Germany; and/or Tampa, Florida, USA, in direct support of OP AEGIS. |
30-Jul-21 |
05-Oct-21 |
OP AEGIS |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Ghana, in direct support of Op PRESENCE (ELSIE). |
22-Nov-21 |
Present |
OP PRESENCE (ELSIE) |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed with the Military Assistance Team (MAT) – Ukraine to Germany, Poland and Ukraine, in direct support of OP GLOBE. |
9-Jan-22 |
Present |
OP GLOBE |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to or staged in Ukraine (until 23 Feb 22 only) and adjacent NATO countries including, but not limited to Germany, Poland, Italy, Romania, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia, in direct support of US Joint Task Force Dragon succeeded by the US-led Security Assistance Group. |
01-Feb-22 |
Present |
OP ORION |
Service inside the Ukraine from 1 to 23 Feb 22 is eligible for the SSM-EXP. Service inside the Ukraine from the start of the invasion on 24 Feb 22 is eligible for the OSM-EXP. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to various NATO countries in direct support, on a full-time basis, of OP UNION. |
22-Jul-22 |
Present |
OP UNION |
Op UNION service inside Ukraine itself counts towards the OSM-EXP. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed as part of the Forward Logistics Site (FLS) to various locations in the Caribbean (including but not limited to San Diego, USA, Huatulco, Mexico, Panama City, Panama, Manta, Puerto Chiapas & Manzanillo, Ecuador) in direct support to the CAF participation in the US-led Joint Task Force – South Mission. |
22-Feb-22 |
Present |
OP CARIBBE |
N/A |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed within Djibouti, or other similarly safe support locations for this operation, outside of Canada and its territorial airspace and waters, in direct support of the evacuation of Canadians from Sudan. |
19-Apr-23 |
17-May-23 |
OP SAVANNE |
This includes HMCS Montréal and MV Asterix that deployed to the Red Sea. Note: If an individual deployed within the same calendar day at two or more of the eligible locations, this day would only count towards the higher medal in precedence. |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to the Haitian airspace, territorial and surrounding waters, as well as Curacao, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, or other similarly safe support locations outside of Canada, its territorial airspace and waters, in direct support of Op GLOBE 23-03. | 04-Feb-23 | 21-Mar-23 | OP GLOBE | This includes His Majesty's Canadian Ship MONCTON and GLACE BAY that deployed in and around Haitian waters. Service on the ground in Haiti is eligible for the OSM-HAITI. |
His Majesty's Canadian Ship GLACE BAY | 26-Feb-23 | 26-Mar-23 | OP GLOBE | |
His Majesty's Canadian Ship MONCTON | 26-Feb-23 | 26-Mar-23 | OP GLOBE | |
Service of members of the Defence Team deployed to Greece, Cyrus or other similarly safe support locations, outside of Canada and its territorial airspace and waters, in direct support of the evacuation of Canadian Entitled Persons and foreign nationals from Israel to Greece. | 10-Oct-23 | Present | Op ION | N/A |
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