Its moments like this that you reflect back on your own career within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF),  what you have done, the people you have met, the adventure that you have been part of and sadly those who are no longer with us.  Having the opportunity and honour to present and officer or non-commissioned member of the forces with their Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) is a humbling and proud moment.  Humbling in the sense that in preparation for such an event you truly get an understanding of the history, legacy, blood, sweat and sacrifice that has gone into to the development of this little piece of medal and ribbon and its forgone predecessors. Centuries of honorable, heroic service defined and recognizes is such a small but powerful manner.  Proud in the learning the story behind the recipients own twelve years of service, the adventure they have lives and the family who has scarified so much for their loved ones service. But also proud, to be part of this great moment for someone else, while remembering now my own presentation in 2014, and how honored I was to have service Canada for 12 years in uniform. 

The Canadian Forces Decoration is bestowed bestowed upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service. It is awarded to all ranks, who must have good record of conduct during the final eight years of claimed service.  The Decoration is a
decagonal (ten-sided, representing the ten provinces) gold plated brass medal on the obverse, a youthful effigy of Her Majesty the Queen wearing a wreath of laurel leaves in her hair and facing right, circumscribed with the legend "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA - CANADA"; and on the reverse appears, from top to bottom a naval crown, three maple leaves and an eagle representing the Navy, Army and Air Force. The word "SERVICE" appears on a scroll at the bottom and two fleur-de-lis are depicted on each side of the crown. The suspension consists of a small bar between two scroll arms emerging from a natural maple leaf at the top of the medal.

The ribbon is red with three equally spaced thin white lines, red and white are the official colours of Canada as appointed by King George V in 1921. The clasp (bar) for the Decoration has the shield of the Canadian coat of arms in the center surmounted by the Crown, and is gold in colour. Clasps are bestowed for each subsequent 10 years of service.