Introduction

Over the past decade we have noticed a rampant increase in the number of people who are wearing their orders, decorations and medals incorrectly. The cadre of people who flagrantly violate the official rules on how you are supposed to wear your medals ranges from the average veteran right up to current and former Governors General. Indeed, there is much evidence to suggest that the higher the rank of the individual the more likely they are to just wear whatever they want, however they want. We like to think of this as “Instant Dictator Syndrome” or self-aggrandizement at its most obvious.

Why do people wear their medals incorrectly? Often it is because they simply do not know any better. If you are one of these people you should consult WEARING ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MEDALS which is available from the Chancellery of Honours at Rideau Hall. This guide will help you figure out how you are supposed to wear your officially granted orders, decorations and medals.

When it comes to wearing your medals incorrectly the worst offenders tend to be former Governors General, Lieutenant Governors and retired Generals. When these people – all in authority and all surrounded by staff who know better – wear their medals wrong they are obviously suffering from the dreaded Instant Dictator Syndrome. The attitude accompanied with this most severe condition is “the more medals I wear the more important I will look.”

This simple blog is aimed at revealing the myriad of fellow Canadians who cannot seem to wear their medals correctly.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Our Southern Neighbour

An attentive reader recently ran across a amusing blog from the US. You're Wearing It Wrong is a fun overview of various current and former members of the US Armed Services wearing ribbons, orders, decorations and medals incorrectly. Thor Haglund, the author of the US blog hammers away at the great and the good, and the not so great whenever they are found parading themselves on the internet wearing ribbons/medals incorrectly. 









The blog notes that even the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has had difficulties with wearing the correct insignia on his ribbons. The Americans have many more medals than Canada in their honours system, and dozens of devices that get attached to ribbons and undress ribbons which makes matters exceedingly complex, but this eagle eyed blogger has picked up even the most minute detail.  It is nice to know that these sorts of issues aren't limited to our fellow Canadians, but also extends to our Allies.

2 comments:

  1. Hey, Thanks for the love! Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very amazing information has been shared on this website. I like it.
    lapel pins

    ReplyDelete