Special Service Medal Bar DISTANTIA

Summary#

This order, called the Special Service Medal Bar Order "DISTANTIA", creates a new service bar for the Special Service Medal to recognize people who take part in remote, full‑time military operations that have effects in a theatre of operations. The order was approved by the government on November 5, 2024 and published in the Canada Gazette on November 20, 2024.

What it does#

• Defines the kind of service that counts as "special service" for the Special Service Medal Regulations.
• Sets the time thresholds for eligibility: either 180 consecutive days or an aggregate of 270 days, of which 60 days must be consecutive.
• Covers service that begins on or after the day the order comes into force (the Gazette notice does not say the exact coming-into-force date).
• Says the service must be performed in Canada or outside Canada but not in a theatre of operations, and must be full‑time remote participation in approved operations. That remote participation must involve either the personal use of weapons systems or the delivery of targeted effects enabled by technology that has, or could have, a tangible effect in the theatre of operations.
• States that this service cannot be counted toward any other Canadian or foreign service medal.
• Specifies that the bar awarded with the medal will bear the word "DISTANTIA".

Who's affected#

• People who carry out full‑time, remote operations that meet the description above. The notice does not list specific job titles or units.
• Those who are eligible under the Special Service Medal rules — the order applies to qualifying service under those regulations.
• It is unclear from the notice which particular operations are considered "approved operations" or exactly when the rule starts to apply (because the coming-into-force date is not given).

Why it matters#

• It formally recognizes and rewards personnel who conduct impactful military tasks from a distance rather than being physically in a theatre of operations.
• It creates a clear time standard for earning this specific medal bar and prevents the same service from being counted toward other medals.
• As remote military and technologically enabled operations grow, this order gives a specific way to acknowledge that kind of work.