Media Advisory - Governor General to Invest 55 Recipients into the Order of Military Merit

OTTAWA, June 1, 2016 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will preside over an Order of Military Merit investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Friday June 3, 2016, at 11 a.m. The Governor General will bestow the honour on 3 Commanders, 12 Officers and 40 Members.

Created in 1972, the Order of Military Merit recognizes meritorious service and devotion to duty by members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Order honours them for their commitment to Canada, according to the following three levels of membership: Commander (C.M.M.), Officer (O.M.M.) and Member (M.M.M.).

A media schedule for the investiture ceremony, the list of recipients, and additional information on the Order of Military Merit are attached.

Media interested in covering the ceremony are asked to confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office. They must arrive at the Princess Anne Entrance no later than 10:45 a.m. on the day of the ceremony.

Those wishing to interview recipients are asked to contact
the Department of National Defence.

CEREMONY SCHEDULE

Media are asked to observe the following schedule:

 

 

ORDER OF MILITARY MERIT RECIPIENTS

COMMANDERS

 

 

OFFICERS

 

 

MEMBERS

 

 

Please note that the information in this media advisory was provided by the
Department of National Defence and reflects the rank and posting of the members 
at the time of their nomination.

ORDER OF MILITARY MERIT FACT SHEET

The Order of Military Merit recognizes distinctive merit and exceptional service displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Forces, both Regular and Reserve. Many have demonstrated dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty, and the Order honours them for their commitment to Canada, according to the following three levels:

The level of Commander (post-nominal: C.M.M.) recognizes outstanding meritorious service and demonstrated leadership in duties of great responsibility.

The level of Officer (post-nominal: O.M.M.) recognizes outstanding meritorious service in duties of responsibility.

The level of Member (post-nominal: M.M.M.) recognizes exceptional service or performance of duty.

Eligibility and Nominations

A commanding officer or a military advisory committee (for ranks of colonel and above) recommends to the chief of the Defence Staff the names of those serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, both Regular and Reserve, they consider eligible. The chief of the Defence Staff then submits the names to the governor general for approval.

The number of appointments per year is limited to one-tenth of one per cent of the average number of persons who were members of the Canadian Armed Forces during the previous year. In 2014, for instance, 108 appointments were made. There are no posthumous appointments.

Recipients may be promoted within the Order. They must exchange their insignia for that which corresponds to the new level, since no member may hold more than one appointment at any time.¸

The Order's constitution permits members of the armed forces of another country to be appointed as honorary Commanders, Officers and Members. Appointments are made for outstanding meritorious service to Canada or to the Canadian Armed Forces in the performance of military duties.

For more information about the Order of Military Merit, visit our website at www.gg.ca/honours.

 

SOURCE Governor General of Canada

For further information: For information on the ceremony: Emily Keogh, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-993-2569, emily.keogh@gg.ca; For information on the recipients: Department of National Defence, Media Liaison Office, 1-866-377-0811, 613-996-2353, Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.