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.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

The Hon. Steven Point, OBC

Unlike his distinguished predecessor, the present Lieutenant Governor of BC seems to have a variety of persistent issues when it comes to wearing orders, decorations and medals. 

The problem in this photo is minor, in that the senior Order (the Order of St. John) should be worn at the neck, not the Order of British Columbia, which ranks after the Order of St. John. He also needs to do up his collar. Despite this I do applaud His Honour for wearing the Lieutenant Governor's Uniform. 

As an Honorary Captain in the Canadian Navy, His Honour occasionally wears Mess Dress and CF Uniforms. A survey of his website shows him regularly wearing the Vice-Regal Badge (the little silver star) on his uniforms. This is in violation of CF dress regulations. Here we have His Honour in Mess Dress, wearing his Vice-Regal Badge, strangely he is not wearing his Order of British Columbia or the breast star of a Knight of Justice which he is entitled to. 

In case you are wondering what the Vice-Regal badge is here is what it looks. It is not approved for wear on any CF uniform. 
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