Appendix 2 – Guidelines for composing narratives

  1. This appendix provides guideline notes for composing the narrative portion of a recommendation for appointment to the Order of Military Merit (ORMM) based on conspicuous merit and exceptional service over an extended period.
  2. Because each case submitted for consideration reflects outstanding military career achievement, each supporting narrative must evoke a clear conception, in the minds of the Advisory Council, of exactly why the named individual’s service is outstanding when compared to that of contemporaries and other nominees. Sponsors are encouraged to seek input from career management staff and former supervisors of nominees.
  3. A recommendation should not slavishly follow any preset pattern, since stereotyped narratives place an impossible task on the committee, and rarely evoke a clear concept of why the nominee is considered exceptional. Similarly, long narratives tend to become tedious. Thus, narratives are restricted to a maximum of one page narrative in English or one and one quarter page narrative in French (excluding covering forms). The verbiage of longer ones indicates that the sponsor cannot explain simply why the nominee is outstanding. Submission quality is more significant than length.
  4. Similarly, narratives shall not include letters of support from previous CO and senior officials or other additional data as annexes. These provide evidence for the originator or CO to draw upon in explaining why the nominee is more deserving than others. However, a brief summary of the outstanding performance in the narrative is all that is required.
  5. Care must be exercised to ensure that no identifiable segment of the Canadian Forces (CF) population is unfairly disadvantaged in consideration (operations versus support, men versus women, etc). The Order must not be perceived as a farewell gesture or a consolation prize in place of promotion
  6. A recommendation for appointment to the ORMM should stress the following:
    1. the individual’s conspicuous merit and exceptional service. Nominations may focus on the last few tours of duty, although the nominee’s initial career should not be overlooked. Include a brief biographical review of the individual’s meritorious career highlights. For example, state whether the nominee acted in appointments calling for higher rank, held appointments of greater than average responsibility for the nominee’s rank or served in any special temporary capacities or appointments. Describe what the nominee has done that was exceptional, including how these exceptional activities were executed;
    2. the nominee’s outstanding personal characteristics related to military merit, e.g. leadership, integrity, and dedication;
    3. how associates regard the nominee, especially contemporaries and subordinates. Include a personal statement of opinion and feelings on the nominee compared to other persons in the same category;
    4. any other relevant information that expands the nominee’s military career, such as activities in the local community or in society in general. Community service is not a prerequisite for this award, but might be a considered factor where such service enhances the image of the CF; and
    5. if any specific activity or action is cited, state whether the nominee was solely or otherwise involved. Was the nominee the leader, coordinator or an assistant to someone who was either in charge or took the initiative?

Top of page

Page details

Date modified: