Special Service Medal - Domestic Operations Bar

[Furniture]

Ironically the RCN, which has every sort of trade-related festoonment on their service dress, doesn’t have a trade badge on NCDs. I also think the RCAF CADPAT-wearing folks should also wear trade badges, so I know at a glance who is what.

But I draw the line at ribbons - that’s not operationally necessary or useful.

But back to the DOMOPS recognition - maybe a nice sleeve patch?

In fairness, I was refering to the old bus driver work dress we wore pre-CADPAT.

Make a new DOMOPS ribbon for the OSM, and give rotation bars for every 180 days after the initial issue criteria, like the GCS, GSM, and OSM already have.

 

[Halifax Tar]

It should be easier and more efficient to recognize and reward our pers for good behavior and exemplary service than it is to investigate and charge them.

Right now thats not the case.

 

[RangerRay]

Ironically the RCN, which has every sort of trade-related festoonment on their service dress, doesn’t have a trade badge on NCDs. I also think the RCAF CADPAT-wearing folks should also wear trade badges, so I know at a glance who is what.

But I draw the line at ribbons - that’s not operationally necessary or useful.

But back to the DOMOPS recognition - maybe a nice sleeve patch?

Didn’t historically, the RCN (and RN) have trade badges on the ratings’ work dress?

 

[dimsum]

Didn’t historically, the RCN (and RN) have trade badges on the ratings’ work dress?

Yes. The RN still does.

 

[RangerRay]

Yes. The RN still does.

Which I would think makes sense on a ship so you know immediately what job someone does…

 

[daftandbarmy]

While we're at it...

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I have been working on getting the paperwork done for my Cadets to get their medal. I am seeing people stating they won't be allowed to wear it on the Air/Sea/Army Cadet uniform. So I ask what is the point of a medal they can only wear for at best a year and never wear again?

 

[Quirky]

Some people want everything/anything that can identify them as veterans or current military members to the general public.

 

[eliminator]

New 'DISTANTIA' bar created for the Special Service Medal.

Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 158, Number 24: Special Service Medal Bar Order “DISTANTIA”

November 20, 2024, Part 2, Volume 158, Number 24, Canada Gazette

gazette.gc.ca

 

[Maxman1]

I read that about four times and I still have no idea what that's supposed to cover.

 

[dapaterson]

I read that about four times and I still have no idea what that's supposed to cover.

From what I can see, if you're remotely supporting an operation (so possibly RPAS operators or folks working in the intelligence function) you'd be eligible.

 

[Remius]

I read that about four times and I still have no idea what that's supposed to cover.

Drone operators in Canada supporting deployed ops, cyber dudes etc would be my guess.

 

[brihard]

Drone operators in Canada supporting deployed ops, cyber dudes etc would be my guess.

Agreed. UAS or offensive cyber. I could potentially see influence activities as well.

 

[RangerRay]

While we're at it...

View attachment 89530

AYFKM??

 

[dimsum]

AYFKM??

I anxiously await the first person who “mistakenly” wears them on the other side (with the medals) and gets called out for Stolen Valour.

New 'DISTANTIA' bar created for the Special Service Medal.

Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 158, Number 24: Special Service Medal Bar Order “DISTANTIA”

November 20, 2024, Part 2, Volume 158, Number 24, Canada Gazette

gazette.gc.ca

Huh. For once awards didn’t come 4 years later than the act.

 

[foresterab]

While the bar "DISTANTIA" confuses the crap out of me I can also see how it was created to acknowledge an ever more remote connection RPAS level operation. If I can see air tanker pilots being trained remotely via a trainer in a different province or loggers operating under the instruction of a trainer in Europe I honestly don't want to know what is capable under a military RPAS system these days. I recall reading though that many US RPAS operators were having issues due to being able to see events but not communicate with troops on site and were not part of the debrief on bad operations.


I don't have a problem with a CAF veteran being recognized for service. The member who signed up and blew out their knees in training and was medically released went in to the CAF with the same purpose as the member who served their full enlistment. I do struggle though with a NGO creating a medal to recognize something that I think Canada should already do.

I also do not see this as an either/or for the CD. One is an award recognizing long service in uniform for the country.. One is an acknowledgement of service to the country. And it shouldn't matter if they served within Canada or outside of Canada.

I still would prefer to see a Canadian Service Medal presented separate from the Special Service Medal but that's a personal choice as well.

foresterab

 

[dimsum]

While the bar "DISTANTIA" confuses the crap out of me I can also see how it was created to acknowledge an ever more remote connection RPAS level operation. If I can see air tanker pilots being trained remotely via a trainer in a different province or loggers operating under the instruction of a trainer in Europe I honestly don't want to know what is capable under a military RPAS system these days. I recall reading though that many US RPAS operators were having issues due to being able to see events but not communicate with troops on site and were not part of the debrief on bad operations.

For RPAS, the Canadian MQ-9B (CQ-9) will have its aircrews based all in Ottawa, while flying missions around the world.

But, the DISTANTIA bar could also apply to Cyber folks, who will most likely never need to leave home base for their effects. There are probably other examples as well.

Of course, this brings up the question whether NORAD missions should have a bar to the SSM too.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

They also serve who only stand and wait

 

[Halifax Tar]

For RPAS, the Canadian MQ-9B (CQ-9) will have its aircrews based all in Ottawa, while flying missions around the world.

But, the DISTANTIA bar could also apply to Cyber folks, who will most likely never need to leave home base for their effects. There are probably other examples as well.

Of course, this brings up the question whether NORAD missions should have a bar to the SSM too.

If people in Fla. can get medals for deployments so can Cyber Ops in direct support of missions.

 

[daftandbarmy]

They also serve who only stand and wait

Then that deserves a medal, right?