Awards merited

Commended: Three levels of CDF commendations will now be awarded. Photo by Cpl Shannon Joyce, Army newspaper

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

COMMENDATIONS for service will now be based on an order of merit following recent changes to service policy.

Under the revised directions of DI(G) Pers 31-2, awarding authorities now determine what level of award is appropriate. Previous arrangements meant commanders were often locked into a single level of award they could allocate.

For example, under the old policy personnel serving in DPE could only be nominated for a gold-level CDF commendation.

Now the awarding of bronze, silver, gold and CDF commendations will reflect the merit level achieved by the recipient. The bronze-level commendation will be awarded for high or noteworthy achievement, silver for excellent achievement and gold for superior achievement.

The CDF Commendation will be awarded on the recommendation of service chiefs or VCDF/CJOPS when they believe that a gold level badge does not adequately recognise the merits of a particular case.

Each of the services will be able to award bronze, silver and gold awards, with the badges inscribed with that service’s crest.

Selected commanders of joint organisations will be able to award the same levels of awards inscribed with the ADF crest.

The CDF Commendation is the highest level of commendation available, and the associated gold badge can be identified by the wreath that surrounds the ADF crest.

There are no retrospective provisions in the revised policy.

.