An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 25 medals of the Irish defence Forces The following text taken from medals of the Irish defence Forces book (2010) outlines how authorised medals should be properly worn. authorised medals include: • Defence Forces Medals • United Nations Medals • European Community/Union Medals • United Nations Mandated Mission Medals Precedence of medals As outlined in Administrative Instruction A9, when worn, precedence shall be reckoned from the wearer's right to left and shoulder downward. method of Wear Army and Air Corps: Medals will be worn over the left breast pocket. Pipe bands and pipers when on ceremonial duties shall wear their medals over the Tara Brooch. Naval Service: Medals shall be worn by Leading Seamen and Seamen centrally on the left breast of the jumper with the clasps in line with the top of in- ner pocket. For all other naval ratings, medals shall be worn centrally on the left shoulder of the coat with the clasps in line with the cut of the lapel. Multiple Medals A single medal shall be suspended from a suspension bar. Two to five medals inclusive shall be suspended from a single suspension bar of sufficient length to carry the required number of medals without overlapping. Where six or seven medals are worn, they shall be evenly overlapped on a suitable five-medal suspension bar. The premier medal shall be fully uncovered. Where more than seven medals are worn, a second row of medals shall be worn. In such cases a maxi- mum of five medals will be mounted on both rows before overlap- ping begins on the top row. The Military Medal for Gallantry and the Distinguished Service Medal will be worn individually and generally above any other row of medals. occasions for Wear Unless otherwise ordered, medals shall be worn when attending: • The National Day of Commemoration. • The inauguration of An tUachtarán and other ceremonies at- tended by An tUachtarán. • The presentation of letter of credence by an Apostolic Nuncio designate, an ambassador or a minister designate. • The annual 1916 commemoration ceremony. • Commissioning ceremonies. • The annual commemoration Mass for deceased officers and enlisted personnel. • By officers and enlisted personnel of Guards of Honour and Escorts of Honour. • By members of the court at courts martial. • On state and military funerals by pall bearers; marshals; escort; firing; bearer parties and bands. • On such other occasions as may be authorised by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), or the General Officer Commanding a Brigade or Formation. medals shall not be worn: • At a ceremony for the award of an order, decoration or medal. • At a banquet, formal dinner or an official reception, unless indi- cated by the host. • With or on greatcoats or overcoats. • By an officer or an enlisted person in custody. • By enlisted personnel undergoing imprisonment or detention. Wearing of medals on Civilian attire Serving personnel, including 1st Line Reserve and Reserve Defence Forces shall not wear medals on civilian attire. Retired personnel may wear medals on civilian attire on the same occasions as when medals are worn by serving personnel, and in a similar manner. Family members Next of kin should not wear the medals of a deceased family member, except when the medal is awarded posthumously. Medals are award- ed to individuals in recognition of specific acts or service and should only be worn by the individual to whom awarded. Family of deceased members of the Defence Forces should only wear the following medals when the decoration is presented directly to the next of kin: • The Military Medal for Gallantry • The Distinguished Service Medal • The Military Star • The Service Medal • The United Nations Peacekeeping Medal replacement of medals A limited facility to provide individuals with replacement medals is avail- able through 'A' Administration Section, DFHQ, Station Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare. This only applies where the original medal has been certified lost or destroyed and only where the organisation that issued the medal offers a replacement service. At present this applies to the Defence Forces and the United Nations only. A charge does apply for this service. For more information on the wearing of medals, you should contact Ceremonial Section, 'A' Administration, DFhQ. the Defence Forces Medal Book can be down- loaded from military.ie – http://bit.ly/DF_Medal_book

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