The Swedish Civil Protection Association Merit Badge[b] (Swedish: Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbunds förtjänsttecken, SCFGFt/SFt/BFt) is a Swedish medal awarded by the Swedish Civil Protection Association (Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbund, SCF) for sustained, exceptional service in active association work. Typically, it is given in bronze for 3 years of outstanding contributions, in silver after an additional 3 years, and in gold following yet another 3 years of similar dedication.
| Swedish Civil Protection Association Merit Badge | |
|---|---|
 The medal in silver. | |
| Type | Category L-medal[a] |
| Awarded for | For exceptional service |
| Country | Sweden |
| Presented by | Swedish Civil Protection Association |
| Eligibility | Swedish personnel |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 10 May 1941 |
 Ribbon bar | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Swedish Civil Protection Association Medal of Merit |
| Next (lower) | Swedish Civil Protection Association Badge of Honor |
History
editThe medal was established on 10 May 1941[4] as the Swedish National Federation for Civil Air Protection/National Air Protection Federation Merit Badge (Swedish: Sveriges Riksförbund för civilt luftskydd/Riksluftskyddsförbundets förtjänsttecken, RLSfbFt).[5] Due to the association's name change on 17 July 1951, the medal was renamed the Swedish Civil Protection Association Merit Badge (Swedish: Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbunds förtjänsttecken).[5]
Appearance
editMedal
editThe merit badge consists of the association's emblem, a winged grenade with Three Crowns, 30 x 35 mm in size.[4]
Ribbon
editThe ribbon bar consists of a 35 mm wide bright red moiré patterned silk ribbon, with two 2 mm wide yellow stripes on each side, spaced 2 mm apart from each other and parallel to the edge.[4][5]
Criteria
edit- Bronze, is typically awarded for 3 years of active association work with contributions beyond the usual.[4]
- Silver, is typically awarded after an additional 3 years of active association work with contributions beyond the usual.[4]
- Gold, is typically awarded after an additional 3 years of active association work with contributions beyond the usual.[4]
Presenting
editAwards are presented in solemn forms, usually at a district or association meeting or at another solemn occasion. The medal of merit is usually handed over at the Swedish Civil Protection Association's national assembly.[6] Districts are permitted to annually award a certain number of merit badges as determined by the decision of the National Federation's board. Additionally, the National Federation may award merit badges at its own discretion. As a rule, merit badges are awarded in the order of bronze, silver, and gold.[4] Awards are accompanied by diplomas issued by the Swedish Civil Protection Association.[6]
Wearing
editMerit badges and medals of merit may be worn at the same time, but only the highest denomination within each award. Miniatures for the merit badge can be ordered through the national association's office.[6]
See also
editFootnotes
edit- ^ Category L: Medals with Authorization to Be Worn on the Swedish Armed Forces Uniforms: Distinctions in this category are worn after those in Category K. This category includes medals for merit or commemoration established by units within the Armed Forces (such as regiments, centers, and schools), the Home Guard, and voluntary defence organizations. It also covers previously approved wear permits for, for example, officers' associations (or similar) and military comrades' associations, as well as other insignia approved by the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters.[1]
- ^ Translated as the Swedish Civil Protection Association[2] or the Swedish Civil Defence League.[3][2]
References
editNotes
edit- Braunstein, Christian (2007). Utmärkelsetecken på militära uniformer [Decorations on Swedish military uniforms] (PDF). Skrift / Statens försvarshistoriska museer, 1101-7023 ; 12 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Statens försvarshistoriska museer. ISBN 978-91-976220-2-8. SELIBR 10423295.
- Gullberg, Ingvar E. (1977). Svensk-engelsk fackordbok för näringsliv, förvaltning, undervisning och forskning [A Swedish-English dictionary of technical terms used in business, industry, administration, education and research] (in Swedish) (2nd ed.). Stockholm: Norstedt. ISBN 91-1-775052-0. SELIBR 8345587.
- "Bestämmelser för Sveriges Civilförsvarsförbunds utmärkelser" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Civil Protection Association. 14 January 2003. pp. 2–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- "160 volunteers serving the public on royal wedding day". Swedish Civil Protection Association. 2010-06-11. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- Reglemente: uniformsbestämmelser 2015 : Unibest FM 2015 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten. 2015. SELIBR 19513428.