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.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Hon. Gordon Barnhardt, SOM. A MODEL LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Discourage by my expose of Vice-Regal office holders wearing their medals incorrectly a reader emailed me this photo. It is of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan wearing his insignia correctly! Saskatchewan Order of Merit around the neck with his medal bar on the left breast and his Vice Regal badge above. Bravo Lieutenant Governor Barnhardt! If you look closely you will see that His Honour's SOM is worn on a miniature ribbon, and it should be worn on a full length one, however this is a very minor infraction.


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