Order of Military Merit (Russia)

The Order "For Military Merit" (Russian: Орден «За военные заслуги») is a military decoration of the Russian Federation established by presidential decree No. 442 of March 2, 1994[1] to reward military excellence. Its statute was amended three times, first on January 6, 1999, by decree No. 19,[2] then on September 7, 2010, by decree No. 1099[3] which modernised the entire Russian awards system and finally on December 16, 2011, by Presidential Decree No. 1631.[4]

Order "For Military Merit"
Order "For Military Merit" (obverse)
TypeSingle grade order
Awarded forDistinguished and exemplary military service
Presented by Russian Federation
EligibilityCitizens of the Russian Federation
StatusActive
EstablishedMarch 2, 1994[1]
First awardedJanuary 6, 1995
Ribbon of the Order "For Military Merit"
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of Courage
Next (lower)Order "For Naval Merit"
Captain 2nd grade Oleg Kovalev being awarded the Order "For Military Merit" by President Dmitry Medvedev on December 19, 2010. (Photo www.kremlin.ru)
CEO and Chief Designer at Production and Design Association Victor Tyatinkin, just awarded the Order "For Military Merit" by President Dmitry Medvedev on May 3, 2012. (Photo www.kremlin.ru)

Award statute

The Order "For Military Merit" is awarded to military personnel for exemplary performance of military duties, for high combat readiness in ensuring Russia's defence; for high personal performance in career and vocational training, for courage and dedication displayed during the performance of military duties in the course of combat or combat-training objectives; for bravery and courage displayed in the performance of military duties; for merit in strengthening military cooperation with friendly nations.[5]

The intended recipient and the person recommending the award must both have a minimum of 20 years of service.[5]

The Order "For Military Merit" may be awarded to employees of the military–industrial complex of the Russian Federation, of scientific and research organizations or government agencies: for services in design, manufacture and commissioning of modern military equipment and weapons; for personal contributions to national defence policies, development of military science, in strengthening national defence and in promoting interstate military-technical cooperation.[4]

The Order may also be awarded to foreign nationals from among the members of the armed forces of allied foreign countries: for merit in strengthening military cooperation with Russia and organising joint military manoeuvres during military exercises.[4]

The Order "For Military Merit" is worn on the left side of the chest and when in the presence of other Orders and medals of the Russian Federation, is located immediately after the Order of Courage. A rosette in the colours of the ribbon of the Order may be worn on civilian clothing.[4]

Award description

The Order "For Military Merit" is a 40 millimetres (1.6 in) wide silver and enamelled eight pointed star. The four diagonal points of the star being enamelled in the national colours of Russia, white, blue and red. The obverse has a central red enamelled medallion with the silver state emblem of Russia in the center. The medallion is surrounded by a silver band with a relief laurel wreath on the lower half and the relief inscription "FOR MILITARY MERIT" (Russian: «ЗА ВОЕННЫЕ ЗАСЛУГИ») following its outer circumference in the upper half. The otherwise plain reverse bears the award serial number at the bottom.[5]

The Order "For Military Merit" is suspended by a ring through the award's suspension loop to a standard Russian pentagonal mount covered with an overlapping 24 millimetres (0.94 in) wide blue silk moiré ribbon with a 4 millimetres (0.16 in) wide red central stripe bordered by 1 millimetre (0.039 in) wide white stripes.[1]

Notable recipients (partial list)

The individuals below were recipients of the Order "For Military Merit".[6]

See also

References
  1. "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 2, 1994 № 442" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 1999-12-15. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  2. "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of January 16, 1999 № 19" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 1999-12-15. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  3. "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of September 7, 2010 № 1099" (in Russian). Russian Gazette. 2010-09-07. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  4. "Decree of the President of the Russian Federation № 1631 of December 16, 2011" (in Russian). Site of the President of the Russian Federation. 2011-12-16. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
  5. "Statute of the Order "For Military Merit"" (in Russian). Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on state awards. 1999-12-15. Retrieved 2012-02-07.
  6. "Recipients of the Order "For Naval Merit" from the site of the President of the Russian Federation" (in Russian). Presidential Press and Information Office of the Russian Federation. Retrieved 2012-05-19.
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