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Chief of Defence Force Commendation

Chief of Defence Force Commendation

Overview

The Chief of Defence Force (CDF) has a personal commendation badge which is awarded to personnel who perform to an ‘excellent' level either over a sustained period or during a specific event or project. This award recognises performance which would be unlikely to meet the criteria for a New Zealand State Honour.  

Description

The commendation is a purple ribbon, mounted on a medal bar. A gilt miniature NZDF Badge is mounted in the centre.

The commendations are presented with a manuscript narrative outlining the reason for the award.

Eligibility

The Commendation is available to individual military and civilian staff, and to military units.

Note: There is no Royal Warrant for this commendation. Administration instructions are included in the Regulations.

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this commendation

    Commendations are not included in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  Military personnel wear commendations awarded personally to them on their right breast in uniform, in a corresponding position to a full-size ribbon bar worn on the left side of the uniform. In civilian dress, these commendations may be worn on the lapel of the jacket (usually on the left side), at the recipient's discretion. In cases where full-size medals are worn on a lounge/business suit, these commendations are to be worn on the right lapel.

    Members of a unit awarded a CDF, Service Chief, or NZDF Commendation are not entitled to receive or wear the badge awarded to individual recipients.

    For more information on the wear and care of honours, medals, and awards:

  • Nominating someone for this commendation

    Nominations for commendations are made by submitting an MD592 through Single Service chains of command.  Self-nominations for these awards will not be accepted.  

  • Checking if this commendation was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record