History

This decoration was established on December 15, 1949 and is awarded to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (all ranks) for completing twelve years of service. The individual must have a record of good conduct in their last eight years of service. Bars are presented for the ribbon for every ten years of additional service. Recipients may use the post-nominals CD.

The decoration has ten sides and presents the profile of the either George VI or Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse bears a naval crown, three maple leaves, and the word SERVICE along the bottom.

The Type I medal presents the crowned profile of King George VI and is made of .800 silver gilt. It has the inscription GEORGIVS VI D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX FID: DEF. The obverse has the royal cypher superimposed in the centre and the recipients name and rank are engraved on the reverse of the solid bar.

Type II features an uncrowned Queen Elizabeth II and the medal is composed of tombac (a copper-zinc alloy). A bronze gilt version was introduced in 2008. The inscription reads ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA and CANADA. The recipients name and rank are impressed around the edge of the medal.