Meritorious Service Cross

The Meritorious Service Cross (military division) was established in 1984 to recognize a military deed or activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, according to a rare high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to the Canadian Forces.

Description

The insignia is a silver Greek cross 38mm across, and the ends of the convex arms are splayed. It is ensigned with the Royal Crown which forms part of the ribbon mounting. Between the arms of the cross is a laurel wreath:

Bars

A bar is awarded for further activities that would have warranted award of the Cross. The bar is a silver bar with a maple leaf in the centre. The bar is worn centred on the ribbon; if multiple bars have been awarded, they shall be evenly spaced on the ribbon

Obverse

In the centre of the obverse is a maple leaf.

Reverse

The arms of the cross extend beyond two concentric circles which form the middle of the of the cross. The Royal Cypher (EIIR) appears in the innermost circle, ,with the words « MERITORIOUS SERVICE MERITOIRE » between the inner and outer circles. The words « MERITORIOUS » and « MERITOIRE » are separated by a maple leaf at the bottom.

Mounting

A straight (slotted) silver bar, through which the ribbon passes, is attached to the top point of the crown.

Ribbon

The ribbon for the military division is 32 mm wide, blue with two white stripes (6 mm wide), centred on the outer third of each side of the ribbon. The award of a bar to the Cross is denoted by the wearing of a small silver maple leaf device on the undress ribbon.

Postnomials

A recipient is entitled to use the letters "MSC".

Issued

As of 1 June 2012, there have been 250 awards of the Cross in the military division since its institution in 1984.

There have been 2 Signals and C&E Branch recipients of the MSC. Please see Meritorious Service Cross - Signals Recipients for a listing of the individuals.