Modern Honours of Canada (1972) - Member of the Order of Military Merit (MMM)

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Terms

The Order of Military Merit was established to provide a worthy means of recognizing conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members of the Canadian Forces. (CF), both regular and reserve. The Queen of Canada is the Sovereign of the Order and the Governor-General is both Chancellor and a Commander of the Order. The Chief of the Defence Staff is, by virtue of that office, the Principal Commander of the Order. The Order comprises three levels: Commander (CMM); Officer (OMM); and Member (MMM).

In any year, the Governor-General may appoint a number of eligible persons to the order that does not exceed one-tenth of one percent (0.001) of the average number of personnel in the CF during the immediately preceding year. This currently (1993) works out to be about 100 personnel annually. Of those appointed, up to 6% are Commanders, 30% are Officers, and 64% are Members. There is no overall maximum membership in any level. Only members of the Canadian Forces (regular or reserve) are eligible for appointment to the order. Names are gazetted in the Canada Gazette. Appointments are usually made in July and December of each year and the order is no awarded posthumously.

Member (MMM): Appointments are made for exceptional service or performance of duty. This has been interpreted to mean Non-Commissioned Members (NCMs), Warrant Officers, Petty Officers, and Commissioned Officers up to the rank of army or air force Captain or navy Lieutenant. Members may use the post-nominal letters MMM.

Members may be evaluated to Officer and Officers to Commanders. When this occurs, the individual hold only the higher appointment but may wear both miniature insignia on the ribbon in undress.

Description

The badge of the order is a blue-enamelled, straight-end cross pattee (four arms, narrow at the centre and expanding towards the ends). The badge is edged in gold (CMM/OMM or silver (MMM). The maple leaf in the centre of the badge is red (Commander), gold (Officer) or silver (Member). The annulus is red with lettering in gold (CMM/OMM) or silver (MMM), and is surmounted by a St. Edward's Crown.

Obverse

A maple leaf in red, gold or silver within an annulus which bears the words MERIT · MERITE · CANADA.

Reverse

A plain reverse except for a serial number stamped into the edge of the lower arm until 1983. After 1983, the serial number is in the centre of the reverse.

Mounting

The Commander's badge has a small link with a small ring attached. A larger ring is attached to the small ring and the ribbon passes through this for wearing around the neck. The badge of an Officer or Member has a small ring on the top arm through which another small ring attaches to the ring at the bottom of a laurelled bar (3 rings in all). The laurelled bar is gold (Officer) or silver (Member). Officers and Members wear their badges on the left breast.

Ribbon

A blue ribbon, 1.5 inches wide, with gold edges (0.1875). Until 1983, a maple leaf of red, gold, or silver was worn on the ribbon in undress. After 1983, the lapel badge (a blue cross with a maple leaf centre) is worn on the ribbon in undress with the maple leaf being red, gold, or silver to signify the level. Elevations within the order are indicated by the wearing of the lapel badge of the current and previous levels on a single ribbon.

Dates

Instituted 01 July 1972. General SHARP, CMM DFC CD was the first member and the first Principal Commander.

Naming

Each badge is numbered on the reverse; no naming.