Launch of the King Charles III version of the Special Service Medal

September 22, 2025 – Defence Stories

Estimated read time – 2:15

The Special Service Medal (SSM) recently became the second permanent Canadian honour to be modified to reflect the reign of King Charles III. The Canadian Forces’ Decoration, bearing the effigy of His Majesty The King, was first unveiled and presented on December 12, 2024. The SSM has borne the Royal Cypher of its creator, Queen Elizabeth II, since its inception. The new version, now bearing the Royal Cypher of The King, was first presented to 27 recipients currently deployed with Air Task Force (ATF) – Prestwick, in Scotland, on September 10,2025. The very first recipient was Captain Andrew Cameron.

The SSM was created by Queen Elizabeth II on May 29, 1984, to recognize members of the CAF who take part in activities and operations under exceptional circumstances which do not meet the criteria for other campaign or service medals. Initially reserved for Canadian military personnel, the medal has since been expanded to recognize police and civilian personnel, as well as allied military members. This medal is issued with a bar that specifies the special service being recognized, each bar having its own criteria. There are currently five bars being awarded: ALERT, NATO, RANGER, EXPEDITION, and DISTANTIA.

All Canadian honours are created and awarded on behalf of the Sovereign, who is the Fount of Honours. Consequently, the design of the insignia of official honours includes the effigy, Royal Cypher, or Crown of the monarch as the source of the honour. When there is a change of reign, the insignia are gradually amended to reflect the new reign.

Following this inaugural presentation, the new version of the SSM will now be presented throughout the CAF for those who became eligible during The King’s Reign, and whose medal is issued by the Directorate of Honours and Recognition from September 10, 2025 onwards. Previously awarded SSMs remain unchanged. Those who qualified for the SSM during The Late Queen’s Reign will continue to receive the Elizabeth II version in the future, and any replacement of that medal will be replaced by the same type.

In addition to the necessary update to the Royal Cypher, the occasion was taken to further improve the appearance of the medal by having all the raised elements frosted on both sides of the medal. Moreover, The King Charles version of the SSM is engraved with the recipient’s details, aligning the SSM with the more modern campaign and service medals. The changes will make the award even more personal and significant to the recipients and their loved ones.

With the CD and SSM now amended, the next medals to be changed to reflect The King will be the Operational Service Medal later this fall, and the General Service Medal and General Campaign Star by next spring.

LONG LIVE THE KING!