Canadian Forces' Decoration

Canadian Forces' Decoration
Canadian Forces' Decoration
Type	Long service and good conduct medal
Awarded for	12 years service with the Regular or Reserve forces
Presented by	The Monarch of Canada
Eligibility	Members of the Canadian Forces
Post-nominals	CD
Clasps	Bars awarded for every 10 years thereafter
Status	Currently awarded
Established	15 December 1949
First award	7 June 1951
	– 12 years; ; – 22 years; ; – 32 years; ; – 42 years; ; – 52 years; ; – 62 years Ribbon bars and rosettes
Precedence
Next (higher)	Royal Canadian Mounted Police Long Service Medal (Canada); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal (UK);
Next (lower)	Police Exemplary Service Medal (Canada); Royal Observer Corps Medal (UK);

The Canadian Forces' Decoration (post-nominal letters "CD") is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the governor general of Canada upon their appointment, which includes the title of Commander-in-Chief in and over Canada. The decoration is awarded to all ranks, who must have a good record of conduct during the final eight years of claimed service.

The first governor general to receive the CD was Viscount Alexander of Tunis in 1951. The medal was initially awarded to all members of the Royal Family who served in the Canadian Forces, even without completion of twelve years of service; this has, however, not been automatic since 1953.