Ottawa-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, November 7, 2014, at 11 a.m. The Governor General will bestow the honour on 3 Commanders, 10 Officers and 37 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.
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Media who would like to cover the ceremony are asked to inform the Rideau Hall Press Office and must arrive at the Princess Anne Entrance no later than 10:45 a.m. on the day of the event. Those wishing to interview recipients are asked to contact the Department of National Defence.
For information on the ceremony:
Marie-Pierre Bélanger
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-9166
marie-pierre.belanger@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.
Media are asked to observe the following schedule:
11 a.m.: Ceremony begins
The Governor General speaks
The Governor General presents the insignia
(Commanders first, followed by Officers and Members)
The Chief of the Defence Staff speaks
12 p.m.: Interviews with recipients
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.
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.
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 2009, for instance, 111 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.