General Campaign Star with EXPEDITION Ribbon

Summary#

This is an order under the General Campaign Star and General Service Medal Regulations, 2009 that adds a version of the General Campaign Star with the EXPEDITION ribbon and sets who may receive it. It replaces a previous order and lays out the time, place and service-duration rules for eligibility.

What it does#

• Repeals the earlier Order in Council P.C. 2010-249 of March 10, 2010.
• Recognizes that service done outside Canada, in an approved location inside a specific theatre of operations and in the presence of an armed enemy, can qualify for the General Campaign Star with the EXPEDITION ribbon.
• Sets the minimum time-in-service rules for that award:
  • 30 cumulative days during the period January 1, 2003 to October 4, 2014;
  • 14 cumulative days beginning October 5, 2014;
  • or a combination of days from those two periods that adds up to at least 14 cumulative days.
• Specifies the ribbon look and size: 32 mm wide, with a 12-mm light grey centre stripe, flanked by 2-mm white stripes and 8-mm red stripes.
• Says the General Campaign Star with the EXPEDITION ribbon is to be worn after the General Campaign Star with the SOUTH‑WEST ASIA ribbon.

Who's affected#

• Members and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (and people eligible for military honours) who served outside Canada in the specified theatres and under the described conditions.
• Families, veterans’ groups, and military record-keepers who track and verify campaign honours.
• The order does not list the specific “approved locations” in this text. That detail is in related regulations or lists, so some people will need to check those sources to know whether their service qualifies.

Why it matters#

• It formally recognizes certain overseas combat service with a distinct medal ribbon. That affects who can receive the medal and how it appears on uniforms and records.
• For eligible veterans, it is recognition of service in the presence of an armed enemy. For others, it clarifies the rules for awarding and wearing this campaign honour.