We get e-mail: the GGVSM
I received an e-mail in my in-bin the other day about a proposed new decoration: the Governor General's Volunteer Service Medal (GGVSM). The drive to create this medal is being spearheaded by a fellow named Dave Palmer, who seems to have invested a fair bit of time and thought into the idea.
Here's what it's all about, in his words:
I'll be honest, I was of two minds when I first read this. My reluctance was born at least partly out of the idea that it could be seen as self-serving, since all of us but one here at The Torch would qualify for the new decoration. But despite that, I've come to the conclusion that I support the effort.
Canada has traditionally followed the British model of awards and recognition - that is to say, we've been fairly stingy about giving out pieces of tin and ribbon. That model works on the principle that decorations should be a recognition for something truly extraordinary. As a result, I have a number of friends who served - shone, in fact - for nine years in the CF, and aren't entitled to wear a single symbol of their service on their chests. I know an officer who has sailed the oceans on Canada's behalf for nearly twenty years, and wears only the CD. Is this paucity of public praise really productive?
The Americans, by way of contrast, seem to give out recognition like candy. I recall billeting a first-year cadet from West Point during the annual competition weekend between RMC and USMA, and seeing a ribbon on his uniform. As I remember it, when I asked what it was for, he told me everyone got that for passing basic training. All of us at RMC passed BOTC before even arriving at the College for first year, and none of us figured we deserved a medal for that. We used to chuckle at the 'salad bar' of decorations on American chests, most of which seemed to be for something other than valour under fire or service in a war. Of course, this was at the tail end of the Cold War, and we saw the West Pointers as rivals to be poked and teased more than anything.
I've come to believe there's a happy medium between the two extremes. Medals exist to publicly distinguish those wearing them. They're nothing more than a formalized 'attaboy.' So the question becomes whether or not we believe a year of honourable voluntary service is worth the public recognition of a decoration.
Some might say it isn't, that it's not a special or extraordinary accomplishment. And years ago, I might have agreed with that point of view. But I've changed my mind. Volunteering to serve your country, with your life if required, is an exceptional thing. I don't care if it's a kid signing up for the hard and thankless job of a regular force artilleryman straight out of high school, or a middle-aged executive who realizes he wants to contribute to something bigger than his own paycheque and joins the reserves, that choice is worth a clap on the back.
Perhaps the analogy doesn't entirely fit, but I see this as somewhat like my wife's finisher's medal at the half-marathon she completed earlier this year. Yes, it's true that everyone who finishes gets one. There's no distinction between the fellow who sped around the course in an hour, and the one who slogged it out for two and a half. Instead, the distinction is between those on the course, and those who didn't run 21.1 kilometres that day.
And this fellow makes a point I hadn't really considered: that it would be valuable to have ordinary Canadians look around at a Rembrance Day ceremony, for instance, and see the number and range of those who have served at some point or another. Not just those who served in wartime, or those who served on a peacekeeping mission, but all those who served.
Of course, your mileage may vary. But if you think this distinction would be of value to the country, I'd encourage you to follow this link and add your name to the petition.
Sprucing-my-ideas-up-date: From comments, Bruce uses all the words I was struggling to find:
What he said.
Except it wouldn't just connect to hundreds of thousands of former CF members and their families. It would also connect to all those who now attend a Remembrance Day ceremony or other formal function where medals or ribbons are appropriate, look around, and are surprised to learn for the first time that their dentist, their 5th grade teacher, their co-worker at the plant, the woman who volunteers down at the library, their son's soccer coach, and that kid who grew up down the street, went away to university and cut his hair - they've all served in uniform at one time or another. It would remind every Canadian that the CF is their Canadian Forces - of them and for them.
As Bruce says, the CF needs a bigger, stronger, more committed constituency. This could help build that.
Here's what it's all about, in his words:
The proposed Governor General's Volunteer Service Medal (GGVSM) is to recognize the conviction of our Veterans to have volunteered to serve our Nation. Many Veterans who have voluntarily served in our country's forces and for reasons did not serve for an extended period (more than 12 years) and they left the services. These Veterans never received a single "Canadian" medal or any recognition for their service.
The GGVSM would re-introduce a proud aspect of Canadian Heritage and remembrance of our Veterans. The GGVSM would also be highly supportive of Veterans Affairs "Canada Remembers program". Let us remember all of our Veterans and give them at least one medal to wear to give them the dignity and honour they deserve for volunteering to serve.
To The Government of Canada
Whereas:
1. During a specified period of Service to their Country, Canadians, from 3 September 1939, to 1 March 1947, received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and
2. During a specified period of Service to their Country, Canadians, from 27 June 1950, to 27 July 1953, received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea;
We, the undersigned residents of Canada, respectfully call upon the Government of Canada, to recognize by means of the issuance of a new Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, to be designated “The Governor General’s Volunteer Service Medal”, for volunteer service by Canadians in the Regular and Reserve Military Forces and Cadet Corps Support Staff who were not eligible for the aforementioned medals and who have completed 365 days of uninterrupted honourable duty in the service of their country Canada, since 2 March 1947.
I'll be honest, I was of two minds when I first read this. My reluctance was born at least partly out of the idea that it could be seen as self-serving, since all of us but one here at The Torch would qualify for the new decoration. But despite that, I've come to the conclusion that I support the effort.
Canada has traditionally followed the British model of awards and recognition - that is to say, we've been fairly stingy about giving out pieces of tin and ribbon. That model works on the principle that decorations should be a recognition for something truly extraordinary. As a result, I have a number of friends who served - shone, in fact - for nine years in the CF, and aren't entitled to wear a single symbol of their service on their chests. I know an officer who has sailed the oceans on Canada's behalf for nearly twenty years, and wears only the CD. Is this paucity of public praise really productive?
The Americans, by way of contrast, seem to give out recognition like candy. I recall billeting a first-year cadet from West Point during the annual competition weekend between RMC and USMA, and seeing a ribbon on his uniform. As I remember it, when I asked what it was for, he told me everyone got that for passing basic training. All of us at RMC passed BOTC before even arriving at the College for first year, and none of us figured we deserved a medal for that. We used to chuckle at the 'salad bar' of decorations on American chests, most of which seemed to be for something other than valour under fire or service in a war. Of course, this was at the tail end of the Cold War, and we saw the West Pointers as rivals to be poked and teased more than anything.
I've come to believe there's a happy medium between the two extremes. Medals exist to publicly distinguish those wearing them. They're nothing more than a formalized 'attaboy.' So the question becomes whether or not we believe a year of honourable voluntary service is worth the public recognition of a decoration.
Some might say it isn't, that it's not a special or extraordinary accomplishment. And years ago, I might have agreed with that point of view. But I've changed my mind. Volunteering to serve your country, with your life if required, is an exceptional thing. I don't care if it's a kid signing up for the hard and thankless job of a regular force artilleryman straight out of high school, or a middle-aged executive who realizes he wants to contribute to something bigger than his own paycheque and joins the reserves, that choice is worth a clap on the back.
Perhaps the analogy doesn't entirely fit, but I see this as somewhat like my wife's finisher's medal at the half-marathon she completed earlier this year. Yes, it's true that everyone who finishes gets one. There's no distinction between the fellow who sped around the course in an hour, and the one who slogged it out for two and a half. Instead, the distinction is between those on the course, and those who didn't run 21.1 kilometres that day.
And this fellow makes a point I hadn't really considered: that it would be valuable to have ordinary Canadians look around at a Rembrance Day ceremony, for instance, and see the number and range of those who have served at some point or another. Not just those who served in wartime, or those who served on a peacekeeping mission, but all those who served.
Of course, your mileage may vary. But if you think this distinction would be of value to the country, I'd encourage you to follow this link and add your name to the petition.
Sprucing-my-ideas-up-date: From comments, Bruce uses all the words I was struggling to find:
I think that this is a very good idea from a number of perspectives. Anyone who served in the Regular or Reserves gave up a good measure of personal freedom for some period of their young lives. Canadian society should recognize that in some way, whether those with a chestful of medals and a service pension think that it's silly, or "too American" or "not special enough".
For DND, this requires some level of creative long-term thinking, versus fobbing off this effort with "it's not our policy, etc." The military in Canada is an organization that needs friends and public support. Politically impartial does not mean being politically naive. DND has usually been the first department to be cut because it historically did an abysmal job of cultivating public support for its mission and its people. It was always easier to talk to each other than to seriously reach out to the Canadian people.
The armed forces has an incredible opportunity to build lasting long-term grassroots public support for the importance of national defence in this country. Why our CDS would not leap at the opportunity to personally connect to three or four hundred thousand former service members and their families is beyond me.
Done properly, this could be the start of a serious attempt at DND to maintain the level of public support the Armed Forces currently enjoys and built it further.
What he said.
Except it wouldn't just connect to hundreds of thousands of former CF members and their families. It would also connect to all those who now attend a Remembrance Day ceremony or other formal function where medals or ribbons are appropriate, look around, and are surprised to learn for the first time that their dentist, their 5th grade teacher, their co-worker at the plant, the woman who volunteers down at the library, their son's soccer coach, and that kid who grew up down the street, went away to university and cut his hair - they've all served in uniform at one time or another. It would remind every Canadian that the CF is their Canadian Forces - of them and for them.
As Bruce says, the CF needs a bigger, stronger, more committed constituency. This could help build that.
posted by Babbling Brooks at 12:39 p.m.
6 Comments:
Careful consideration please to the promotion of more 'gimmie' medals. Tends to lead to more gewgaws. Witness the Canada 125 and Jubilee medals. As a serving member I would prefer that recognition be based primarily on valour and then service on operations.
Edward, I hear you. But can you tell me why you feel that way?
The medal description refers to the reverse having "a bust of HRH Queen Elizabeth"; it is, of course, HM Queen Elizabeth, as in Her Majesty. I wish people could keep this straight.
I'm not able to join the CF for medical reasons, but my father got the CVSM for Korea (infantry), and I know the designation in the Second World War was EBGO, for Every Bastard's Got One. But the point is, not every bastard got one, only the volunteers (now it would be given to the Zombies so as not to hurt their feelings), with a bar for those serving outside Canada for 60 days. I'd prefer that kind of bar to one with the GG's name, since the GG isn't the important figure in the equation; if it mattered, engrave the GG's name on the obverse or something. But it doesn't matter. Better to put the year of overseas service, if anything.
Edward, I understand the sentiment but I don't think we're pushing the envelope of "Americanization" with a volunteer service medal. I am for it because I think those that served should have one small thing to distinguish them, visibly, on days like Remembrance Day. When all the older veterans are gone and there a few Gulf or Afghan vets around I think it is important that people see, recognize, and remember that all who served offered a sacrifice, even if only a few had to pay it. It isn't about my personal recognition but about recognizing all who have served as a group and through them remembering those who sacrificed so much more.
I'm of two minds. First, as Edward brought up, the 1-2-5 and the Jubilee medals were distributed to selected members even though a vast number more actually qualified. The cheapness of the government of the day provided the go-ahead to the kiss-asses wearing the medal(s) while more deserving individuals went without. I wonder if there's the political will to strike the required number of medals so that every qualifier is presented.
On the other hand I would like to see my colleagues, who work hard and are dedicated to receive some recognition.
I think that this is a very good idea from a number of perspectives. Anyone who served in the Regular or Reserves gave up a good measure of personal freedom for some period of their young lives. Canadian society should recognize that in some way, whether those with a chestful of medals and a service pension think that it's silly, or "too American" or "not special enough".
For DND, this requires some level of creative long-term thinking, versus fobbing off this effort with "it's not our policy, etc." The military in Canada is an organization that needs friends and public support. Politically impartial does not mean being politically naive. DND has usually been the first department to be cut because it historically did an abysmal job of cultivating public support for its mission and its people. It was always easier to talk to each other than to seriously reach out to the Canadian people.
The armed forces has an incredible opportunity to build lasting long-term grassroots public support for the importance of national defence in this country. Why our CDS would not leap at the opportunity to personally connect to three or four hundred thousand former service members and their families is beyond me.
Done properly, this could be the start of a serious attempt at DND to maintain the level of public support the Armed Forces currently enjoys and built it further.
Post a Comment
<< Home