The Chief of Army's Commendation is available to officers, soldiers, civilians, and units of the New Zealand Army whose contributions to the Army deserve formal recognition, but which may not be covered by the criteria for the New Zealand Royal Honours System. The reasons for commendation citations will vary, but only one type of commendation certificate will be presented. Nominations may be made at any time through command channels. The awards will be personally approved and presented by the Chief of Army.
1 Citations
a
There are three categories of citation:
i Acts of bravery and personal risk;
ii Outstanding achievement and performance of duty demonstrating resourcefulness,
initiative, diligence, and devotion; and
iiiValuable contribution to the Army, including community service.
2 Purpose
The purpose of the commendation is to:
aProvide formal recognition of personal endeavours;
bAssist in promoting job satisfaction particularly in some of the low profile appointments where valuable service can go unrecognised;
cProvide incentives to excel in order to achieve recognition, with a resultant improvement to efficiency;
dAssist in developing morale and a sense of purpose;
eOffer an alternative for rewarding efforts that may have been unsuccessful in achieving Honours List recognition; and
fRecognise outstanding achievements or special service by units of the New Zealand Army.
3 Eligibility
The Chief of Army's Commendation can be awarded to all ranks, civilians, their families, and units.
4 Administration of Commendation
aNomination Procedure. Nominations may be submitted as follows:
bAn Individual Commendation. Nominations may be made by a serving officer or soldier to the unit commander at any time. The unit commander is to initiate a formal nomination for the award using the form in Appendix 1.
cUnit Commendation. Where a sub-unit is being nominated the unit commander is to initiate a formal nomination for the award using the form in Appendix 2 to this Annex.
dForwarding of Submissions. The recommendation is to be forwarded through command channels to Army General Staff, attention the Military Secretary. The Military Secretary is to staff the recommendations through the Assistant Chief of General Staff (Human Resources) to the Chief of Army for approval.
e Recommendations. Before making a recommendation for an individual, either the Deputy Chief of Army or the Land Component Commander, within their respective commands, is to consider whether the nominee deserves a higher award and if so, take action to nominate the person accordingly. Recommendations are not to be delayed in their passage through command channels. Where an award is not recommended, the form is to be endorsed in the appropriate section and a separate memorandum explaining why the award should not be made is to be attached, and the submission then forwarded.
f Award of Commendation. All awards of the Commendation are to be subject to the approval of the Chief of Army. The Military Secretary is to arrange the promulgation of the names of those persons or units to whom the Commendation is awarded by publishing their names in New Zealand Army General Orders. Once the Commendation is approved, the citation signed by the Chief of Army will be sent to the recipient as a holding action until the Commendation Certificate can be presented at a formal occasion.
gPresentation to Individuals. The Chief of Army's Commendation certificate to an individual is to be presented to the recipient by the Chief of Army. The presentation is to be made at a formal parade or on an appropriate occasion.
hPresentation to Units. The Chief of Army's Commendation and its citation, when awarded to a unit, is to be retained and displayed prominently within the unit. A dress distinction to unit personnel will not be made. The presentation is to be made at a formal parade or on an appropriate occasion.
iCitation. The full citation is to be read out at the presentation ceremony.
jFrequency. There is no limit to the number of commendations that can be awarded in a year.
kDescription. The Chief of Army's Commendation dress distinction is a crimson ribbon, mounted on a medal bar. A gold miniature Army crest is mounted in the centre.
iThe dress distinction is presented in a crimson velvet box. The interior of the box is
black velvet and white satin with the words "CGS Commendation" inscribed on the interior
lid
lMethod of Wear. The Chief of Army's Commendation dress distinction is to be worn in accordance with the provisions of the NZ P23 ñ New Zealand Army Orders for Dress, Chapter 3, Section 18.
