CANCDTGEN 013/25

Canadian Cadet General Order  (CANCDTGEN)

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Honours and Recognition Program Announcement of the Army Cadet Medal of Merit

References:

1. Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Honours and Recognition Manual
2. CJCR Dress Instructions—Chapter 5 Medals and Other Honours
3. Army Cadet League of Canada—Army Cadet Medal of Merit

1. The Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group (CJCR Gp) is pleased to join the Army Cadet League of Canada in announcing the Army Cadet Medal of Merit (ACMM). The ACMM recognizes outstanding Army Cadets who positively reflect the aim and values of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Program through:
   1. Attendance and participation in Army Cadet training;
   2. Community service and good citizenship;
   3. Promotes healthy living, and mental and physical well-being;
   4. Thorough grasp of Army Cadet training and skills;
   5. Leadership;
   6. Dress and deportment; and
   7. Communication.
2. The Army Cadet Medal of Merit is awarded once to a cadet and includes one of four corresponding award bars:
   1. Rodger Bar—Outstanding Silver Star cadets (Nomination Deadline: August 31);
   2. Howard Bar—Outstanding Gold Star cadets (Nomination Deadline: August 31);
   3. President’s Bar—Outstanding Advanced Leadership Program selected by Branch (Nomination Deadline: May 15); and
   4. Walsh Bar—Canada’s Outstanding Army Cadet (Deadline: June 15).
3. Recipients of multiple awards will wear all corresponding bars on the same medal.
4. Effective immediately, the ACMM will replace the Major-General W.A. Howard Award in both presentation and order of precedence. This change reflects the modernization of recognition within the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, ensuring alignment with current honours and awards practices. The ACMM will now be presented in lieu of the Major-General W.A. Howard Award and will take precedence accordingly in all official ceremonies and documentation.
5. While no future medals will be issued, previous recipients of the Major-General W.A. Howard award are permitted to continue wearing the medal in accordance with established dress instructions.
6. Nominations are to be submitted through the Army Cadet League of Canada Branches. Selection is based on merit and alignment with the program’s values. For full details, eligibility criteria, and deadlines, refer to The Army Cadet League of Canada – Awards, Grants & Bursaries Page. (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website)
7. The CJCR Gp H&R Manual and Cadet365 SharePoint page will be updated to provide additional guidance, templates, and resources to support nominations.
8. Questions regarding H&R or suggestions for additions or revisions to the CJCR Gp H&R Manual and Cadet365 SharePoint page may be directed to: CJCRHonoursAwards-HonneursRecompensesCRJC@forces.gc.ca. For additions or revisions related to League awards, please contact the respective League Branch directly.