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.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Steven Point: November's Offender of the Month!

Miniature medals are in the wrong place, just look at the
Aide de Camp to see where they should be worn. 
Every month we select an "Offender of the Month." The first recipient of this ignominious honour was the Honourable Don Ethell, alas even his many errors in wearing orders, decorations and medals have been surpassed by the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. It is obvious that Mr. Point is totally clueless when it comes to wearing his medals or a CF uniform for that matter. It would seem that the only solution to this problem is for Mr. Point to cease wearing his medals and to also cease wearing his CF uniform.  I cannot imagine any other member of the Canadian Forces who has found so many ways to wear every order of dress incorrectly. It is embarrassing that a member of the Senior Service continuously flaunts the CFP 265 when in uniform.

Above is a  great example of His Honour wearing mess dress with his various accoutrements as "fashion accessories." First off the dress instructions are clear; miniatures are worn 1 cm below the notch of the lapel, not in the middle of the chest. Point seems to have done this to accommodate his Lieutenant Governor's Badge, which is not approved for wear on any CF uniform. Why didn't the Aide de Camp included in this photo not correct Captain(N) Point? Too caught in the magic of the moment no doubt.

Two neck gongs at a time.
Sadly the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia has also been spotted  following the "two neck gong" fashion. All this in violation of the rule that you are only allowed to wear one neck insignia at a time in civilian attire.

At least in this photo Mr. Point has managed to wear the correct ribbons on each of his neck insignia! It is not even worth speculating on the mystery medal worn on the right side in this photo.

Several readers have flooded me with photos galore, too many to post here. Unfortunately 8 times out of 10 Point is wearing his medals incorrectly. When in CF uniform Captain(N) Point has only managed to get things right 1/10th of the time.
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1 comment:

  1. jeankyleJuly 11, 2016 at 3:34 PM

    I would speculate that the "mystery medal" worn on the right side of the above photo is the S.S. Beaver Medal. (http://mmbc.bc.ca/about/s-s-beaver-medal/)
    I would suggest that without context of where and when this medal is being worn by The Honourable Mr. Point, it is impossible to say if it is or is not appropriate for him to be wearing it. Of course, nothing excuses two neck badges in civilian attire, but at least they are being worn in the correct precedence.

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