Defensive memorial cordon

The Defensive memorial cordon 防衛記念章 is the decoration for officers in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The officials can wear it on their uniforms only in active service. They are only cordons like the Unit Awards and the Unit Citations of United States Armed Forces.

The appearance of the Defensive memorial cordon (DMC) is similar to ribbon bars of military decoration, but it is completely different from regular ribbon bars, and are not awards or medals. The DMC is a 'rectangular-shaped memorial souvenir' for service career, participation of training in overseas, and participation in international peacekeeping and assistance operations.

History

Before establishment

After World War II, the standard for conferment of a decoration was changed and the Self-Defense Officials in active service were excluded from the now-civilian orders and decorations. In addition, Japan Self-Defense Forces could not gain opportunity to participate battle because it is prohibited by Chapter 9 of the Constitution of Japan.　

Just after Japan Self-Defense Forces was established in 1954, there were some officials who had military decorations and ribbon bars awarded by Imperial Japanese Army, so they wore in formal ceremony. They retired as time goes on, and no one could wear the military decorations with entitlement. For this reason, the officers in Japan Self-Defense Forces in the 1970s had to participate in international meetings without any decorations.

Establishment

VADM Yoji Koda in Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force wearing the cordons on left chest.

On April 1, 1982, the system for Defensive memorial cordon was established to keep balance of looking between Japanese and foreign servicemen. When the system for Defensive memorial cordon was established, there were only 15 types of cordons, unlike past decorations the cordons are only used by officers of the JSDF.

Requirements

The following Self-Defense Force officers in active service are allowed to wear the DMC.

  1. The Self-Defense Officials who are received an official commendation by Japan Self-Defense Forces.
  2. The Self-Defense Officials who served duties about the concerned awarding at the awarded institutions (National Defense Academy, National Defense Medical College, National Institute for Defense Studies, Technical Research and Development Institute, Equipment Procurement and Construction Office, the military units, the military institutions, a branch offices of Equipment office)
  3. The Self-Defense Officials who were the commanders of the units, or other managerial positions established by the Minister of Defense.
  4. The Self-Defense Officials who served duties at the internal Subdivisions (Internal Subdivisions in Ministry of Defense, Section of the Joint Staffs, Defense Intelligence Headquarters, Ground Staff Office, Maritime Staff Office, Air Staff Office, Technical Research and Development Institute, Equipment Procurement and Construction Office, Inspector General's Office of Legal Compliance)
  5. The Self-Defense Officials who served long period. In this case, the officials who were awarded the prize of perfect attendance.
  6. The Self-Defense Officials who worked at the diplomatic missions in overseas, or who were engaged duties about procurement by onerous assistance or other duties in overseas.
  7. The Self-Defense Officials who participated training in oversea or work for transporting to the South Pole.
  8. The Self-Defense Officials who participated the work for international contribution.
  9. The Self-Defense Officials who engaged in the national events or cooperating work of sports competitions which are regulated in Self-Defense Forces Act Chapter126-12 (Olympic Games, Asian Games, National Sports Festival, FIFA World Cup).

Types of cordons

There are today 41 cordons. When the system for Self-defense memorial cordon was established, there were only 15 cordons. They must be worn by ascending order. Male officials wear 3 cordons for each line, and female officials wear 2 cordons for each line. If the foreign Orders and/or decorations are awarded to officers, these take precedence over the cordons and are required to be placed above them.

Some cordons (marked as grey) still exist, but it is impossible to meet their requirements (the targeted organizations have been abolished, or missions have finished).

AppearanceEnglish nameJapanese nameWearer
1st Defensive Memorial Cordon第1号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the SDF Special Citation for bravery and valor in national defense and civil disaster relief.
2nd Defensive Memorial Cordon第2号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 1st Class Citation.
3rd Defensive Memorial Cordon第3号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 2nd Class Citation.
4th Defensive Memorial Cordon第4号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 3rd Class Citation for national defense and civil relief operations.
5th Defensive Memorial Cordon第5号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 3rd Class Citation by driving the vehicles or aircraft for appointed hour and for appointed mileage without accidents.
6th Defensive Memorial Cordon第6号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 3rd Class Citation by excellent invention or device　technically or distinguished service for unit management with service improvement.
7th Defensive Memorial Cordon第7号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 3rd Class Citation by distinguished service during the ordinary training or maneuvers.
8th Defensive Memorial Cordon第8号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 4th Class Citation for national defense and civil relief operations.
9th Defensive Memorial Cordon第9号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 4th Class Citation by driving the vehicles or aircraft for appointed hour and for appointed mileage without accidents.
10th Defensive Memorial Cordon第10号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 4th Class Citation by excellent invention or device　technically or distinguished service for unit management with service improvement.
11th Defensive Memorial Cordon第11号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 4th Class Citation by distinguished service during the ordinary training or maneuvers.
12th Defensive Memorial Cordon第12号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who have received the 5th Class Citation for national defense and civil relief operations.
13th Defensive Memorial Cordon第13号防衛記念章The winners of 5th Class Citation by driving the vehicles or aircraft for appointed hour and for appointed mileage without accidents.
14th Defensive Memorial Cordon第14号防衛記念章The winners of 5th Class Citation by excellent invention or device　technically or distinguished service for unit management with service improvement.
15th Defensive Memorial Cordon第15号防衛記念章The winners of 5th Class Citation by distinguished service during the ordinary training or maneuvers.
16th Defensive Memorial Cordon第16号防衛記念章Officers from the units which for service for the country in defense operations, international deployments and civil disaster relief were awarded the Security Meritorious Award or Disaster Prevention Meritorious Award..
17th Defensive Memorial Cordon第17号防衛記念章The JSDF members　who served missions related to Special Award.
18th Defensive Memorial Cordon第18号防衛記念章The JSDF members　who served missions related to 1st Award.
19th Defensive Memorial Cordon第19号防衛記念章Awarded to general and flag officers with command appointments (lieutenant general, vice admiral).
20th Defensive Memorial Cordon第20号防衛記念章Awarded to general and flag officers with command appointments (major general, rear admiral).
21st Defensive Memorial Cordon第21号防衛記念章Awarded to field officers with command appointments (colonel, captain).
22nd Defensive Memorial Cordon第22号防衛記念章Awarded to field officers with command appointments (lieutenant colonel, commander, major, lieutenant commander).
23rd Defensive Memorial Cordon第23号防衛記念章Awarded to junior officers with command or leadership appointments (company-grade officer).
24th Defensive Memorial Cordon第24号防衛記念章Awarded to officers who serve at the internal subdivisions of Ministry of Defense (Defense Agency).
25th Defensive Memorial Cordon第25号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at the Joint Staff Office and also were chosen by the Minister of Defense (substitution of 27th cordon).
26th Defensive Memorial Cordon第26号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at the Ground Staff Office, Maritime Staff Office, or Air Staff Office.
27th Defensive Memorial Cordon第27号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at the Joint Staff Council and the Defense Intelligence Headquarters.[1]
28th Defensive Memorial Cordon第28号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at the Defense Intelligence Headquarters after shifting to the joint operations posture, and who were chosen by the Minister of Defense (substitution of 27th cordon).
29th Defensive Memorial Cordon第29号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at the Technical Research and Development Institute.
30th Defensive Memorial Cordon第30号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at the Equipment Procurement and Construction Office.
31st Defensive Memorial Cordon第31号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at the Inspector General's Office of Legal Compliance.
32nd Defensive Memorial Cordon第32号防衛記念章Awarded for 25 years service.
33rd Defensive Memorial Cordon第33号防衛記念章Awarded for 10 years service.
34th Defensive Memorial Cordon第34号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at Diplomatic missions as Defense Attache and so on, or who were engaged duties about procurement by onerous assistance or other duties in overseas.
35th Defensive Memorial Cordon第35号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served for measures against Piracy in Somalia.
36th Defensive Memorial Cordon第36号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served at 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
37th Defensive Memorial Cordon第37号防衛記念章The JSDF members who participated the work for the international contribution.
38th Defensive Memorial Cordon第38号防衛記念章The JSDF members who participated the work for activity in the Indian Sea
39th Defensive Memorial Cordon第39号防衛記念章The JSDF members who participated the work for the Iraqi contribution.
40th Defensive Memorial Cordon第40号防衛記念章The JSDF members who served for the national events.
41st Defensive Memorial Cordon第41号防衛記念章Awarded to personnel of the JSDF who participated in overseas training and simulation missions with other armed services.

Rules for multiple awardees

If the same cordons are to be awarded for further actions officers qualified to receive them have to put gold or silver cherry blossoms on the cordons.

  • 1 silver cherry blossom for 2 cordons.
  • 1 gold cherry blossom for 3 cordons.
  • 2 silver cherry blossoms for 4 cordons.
  • 2 gold cherry blossoms for more than 4 cordons.

example:

References

  1. ↑ It is impossible now to be awarded 27th cordon because Joint Staff Council was abolished and reorganized to Joint Staff Office. For this reason, 25th and 28th cordons were established.
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