Military medals and decorations are honourable distinctions awarded in recognition of distinguished actions in the service of their bearer’s nation, his army, the state’s strategic-military interests, or his comrades-in-arms.

The three main degrees of the military merits recognition system of the Human Sphere are as follows:

· First Degree. In Western-influenced countries, this decoration is usually cross-shaped. The First Degree medal is the highest military decoration, and is only bestowed in times of declared war, or, secretly, during covert conflicts. This medal recognizes the highest gallantry, daring and risking of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against the enemy. This decoration tends to be awarded posthumously.

· Second Degree. Usually, the Second Degree medal is star-shaped. This decoration is awarded only during open war, for outstanding leadership in combat or for acts of high gallantry and pre-eminent valour facing the enemy on the battlefield.

· Third Degree. This decoration is bestowed in times of both peace and war to those that have accomplished their designated mission with great courage and self-sacrifice while risking their lives.

· Military Merit Insignia. This is awarded in peace or war to those that have displayed heroism in combat or contributed meritorious service to the Army or to the State.

There may also be a series of achievements and valour decorations between the Third Degree medal and the Military Merit Insignia. The number of these decorations varies depending on the army and whether war has been declared or not.

In a different category are those decorations that reward distinguished service and labour in roles behind the frontline, but still contributing to military efforts or supporting the ideals of a nation or army. In some cases, these decorations have a general military purpose, but have a civilian division that allows them to be bestowed on non-enlisted personnel.

As a curiosity, ALEPH’s Special Situations Section doesn’t bestow material medals, just access codes that are attached to the electronic signature of the individual. In the Combined Army, the decorations awarded through joint actions of the diverse armies under direct command of the EI are insignias of diverse categories, which correspond, approximately, with the human recognition system.

Next, the main decorations and medals of the Human Sphere are listed with explanatory notes attached:

O-12

1- Prometheo Cross Awarded to those whose actions have swept the shadows of injustice and fear from the Human Sphere, providing more light for mankind.

2- Gilgamesh Star This military decoration distinguishes those who continue to show merit in combat, bravery or military success.

3- Sekandar Insignia This decoration for valour and courage has received the Persian name of Alexander the Great. The Sekandar Insignia awards outstanding leadership in combat and also individual acts of bravery.

4- Military Merit Insignia: Bureau Aegis

5- Order of the Merit with White Badge Awarded for outstanding performance or exhibiting special technical skills in defence of the ideals of O-12 and the rights of Human Sphere citizens.

6- Nabu Insignia The Babylonian god of wisdom and writing gives his name to this decoration, bestowed on military or civilian personnel from any member nation of O-12 who has excelled in contributions to political systems, military strategies or technological research that facilitates the application of the Concilium Convention.

PANOCEANIA

1- Freedom and Justice Cross Bestowed on those who defend with the highest bravery the greatest PanOceanian ideals. This decoration is engraved with the Latin motto for which it is named: Libertas et Ivstitia.

2- War Star with Swords The swords symbolizing this decoration only can be received for heroic battle actions in the face of the enemy.

3- Vir Chakra The name of this decoration means, literally, in Hindi: “Medal for Valour”.

4- Military Merit Insignia (PanOceania // Shock Army of Acontecimento // Neoterran Capitaline Army // Order of the Hospital // Order of Santiago // Order of Montesa // Order of the Holy Sepulchre // Teuton Order)

YU JING

1- Jade Dragon Honour Sabre (Yù Lóng) (玉 龙 勳刀) The bearer of this sabre, the highest distinction bestowed by the StateEmpire Army, must always be saluted by all military personnel regardless of rank, seniority or branch.

2- Victorious Leopard Order (Kāi Bào) (凯 豹 勳章) This Order can be awarded to any soldier of the StateEmpire Army, regardless of rank. The lack of a rank requirement, the emphasis on individual bravery or leadership skills, and an annual monetary stipend to each recipient reflects the equalitarian virtues of the Yu Jing Army.

3- White Sun Order (Hào Yáng) (皓 阳 勳章) In Yu Jing the twelve beams of the Sun (Former national emblem of the Republic of China) represent the twelve months of the year and symbolize the spirit of progress. To be awarded with the White Sun Order a Yu Jing solder must distinguish himself in battle, showing courage or skilled leadership of his troops.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Yu Jing // Imperial Service // Japanese Sectorial Army)

ARIADNA

1- Saint George Cross (Георгиевский крест) Georgievskii Krest The greatest distinction of the Tsarist age, recovered before the fall of the Soviet system, is now the highest medal of the Ariadnan Military Forces. The Saint George Cross is bestowed to honour the most successful combatants that have risked themselves to protect the planet Dawn and its inhabitants.

2- Hero of Ariadna’s Star In the Ariadnan military tradition, a Hero of Ariadna always has the right to make the first toast and to be the one who ends the bottle. The owner of the Star is considered an example and a symbol for all Ariadnans.

3- Honour and Motherland Medal The language of the inscription notes the Ariadnan nation which bestows this medal. (Honneur et Patrie / Honour and Motherland / Честь и Родина)

4- Military Merit Insignia (Ariadna // Force de Réponse Rapide Mérovingiénne // Highlander Caledonian Army)

HAQQISLAM

1- Husam al Hikmah (سيف الحكمة ) (Sword of Wisdom) Ceremonial sword with wall stand. The receiver of the Husam al Hikmah has to be humble enough to not bear it in public. The recipients of this decoration are courageous people who reflect the spirit of the Haqqislam.

2- Najm al Din (نجم الدين ) (Star of the Faith) The Star of the Faith is exclusively awarded for bravery before the enemy and for excellent merit in commanding troops.

3- Naut Rayhan (وسام الريحان ) (Medal of the Favoured by Allah)º This decoration is conferred for valour, leadership or command in battle.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Haqqislam // Qapu Khalqi // Hasassin Bahram)

NOMADS

1- Obsidian Cross This decoration has a special status in the Black Hand, as the organization is always in a wartime situation. Due to the secrecy of its operations, there are few Black Hand agents awarded with this medal who can wear it in public.

2- White Star This military decoration is bestowed for extraordinary bravery, for the achievement of extremely important objectives through combat, or for especially well-conducted operations.

3- Red Badge of Courage The red of this decoration represents the blood shed by its bearer defending the Nomad Nation.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Nomad Nation // Jurisdictional Command of Bakunin // Jurisdictional Command of Corregidor)

ALEPH

1- Double Alpha Plus Select Access Code Privileged access granted, Posthuman level only.

2- Alpha Plus Select Access Code Bestowed alongside high security access level.

3- Alpha Select Access Code Prestigious distinction in security circles.

4- Select Access Code by Military Merit: Special Situations Section.

COMBINED ARMY

1- Quasar Insignia The highest award bestowed by the EI. The Quasar Insignia rewards superior actions that decisively influence the course of the war.

2- Pulsar Insignia The Pulsar Insignia is awarded for leadership, distinguished service or personal gallantry.

3- Cepheid Insignia The Cepheid Insignia, a source of pride for its bearer, is always one of the brightest medals he can have.

4- Military Merit Insignia (Combined Army // Morat Aggression Forces // Shasvastii Expeditionary Forces)

5- Corona Insignia This decoration is awarded for distinguished contributions to Project: Transcendence and its development.

An article of the commander Olivier Fouquet (Retired) for Militarya,

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