THE DEFENCE ACT (CHAPTER 196)

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (Award of Decorations) Regulation, 1995

(1) Subject to regulations 4 to 10, the Governor General, acting on the recommendation of the Minister after the Minister has consulted with the Commander, may award any of the following decorations to a member of the Defence Force

(a). Royal Bahamas Defence Force Cross;

(b). Royal Bahamas Defence Force Gallantry;

(c). Royal Bahamas Defence Force Distinguished Service;

(d). Royal Bahamas Defence Force Meritorious Service;

(e). Royal Bahamas Defence Force Long Service and Good Conduct;

(f). Royal Bahamas Defence Force Traumatic Service;

(g). Royal Bahamas Defence Force Overseas Campaign.

2. The design and form of the decorations specified in paragraph (1) shall be as respectively described in the schedule.

3. Any decoration specified in paragraph (1) may be reproduced as a miniature and

(a). in the case of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Cross, the medal shall not exceed twenty millimeters at it's widest point;

(b). in the case of a decoration other than the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Cross, the medal shall not exceed twenty millimeters in diameter;

(c). in the case of a ribbon, shall not exceed sixteen millimeters in width and thirty-three millimeters in length; and

(d). unless awarded posthumously, shall be worn on official occasions only, by the person to whom the decoration is awarded. 

4. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Cross decoration may be awarded to a member of the Defence Force who distinguishes himself from other members by performing an act of outstanding heroism in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk

(a). while engaged in an action against an enemy of the Bahamas or any hostile force;

(b). while engaged in a military conflict operation involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

c). while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the Bahamas is not a belligerent party. 

5. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Gallantry decoration may be awarded to a member of the Defence Force who performs an act of gallantry above the standard expected of him in circumstances of extreme danger which do not warrant the awarding of a Royal Bahamas Defence Force Cross decoration, but which distinguishes him from other members. 

6. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Distinguished Service decoration may be awarded to a member of the Defence Force who contributes materially to the success of a major command, operation, or project, and distinguishes himself by exceptional and meritorious service to The Bahamas. 

7. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Meritorious Service decoration may be awarded to any member of the Defence Force who distinguishes himself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the Bahamas or by prolonged service marked by exceptional ability, merit and conduct.

8. (1) The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Long Service and Good Conduct decoration may be awarded to any member of the Defence Force who has completed eighteen years of continuous service and, in the case of a marine who has for those years been awarded a conduct assessment of "Very Good" as laid down in the Defence Force Instructions.

(2) A clasp may be awarded to the recipient of decoration specified in paragraph (1) on his completion of twenty-five years of continuous service, and another clasp may be awarded to him on his completion of thirty years of continuous service, if for the respective periods the recipient was awarded a conduct assessment of "Very Good" as laid down in the Defence Force Instructions.

9. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Traumatic Service decoration may be awarded, whether posthumously or otherwise, to any member of the Defence Force who, while serving in any capacity with the force, has been traumatized, killed, or wounded

(a). in any action against any enemy of the Bahamas;

(b). in any action against an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Defence Force is or has been engaged;

(c). while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the Bahamas is not a belligerent party;

(d). as a result of any act of such enemy or opposing armed force;

(e). as a result of an act of any hostile foreign force;

(f). as an indirect result of any act, such as by injuries resulting from abandoning a ship sunk by enemy or hostile fire or by any other act of the enemy; or

(g). as a result of maltreatment inflicted by captors while a prisoner of war.

10. The Defence Force Overseas Campaign decoration may be awarded to any member of the Defence Force who has served in a campaign outside of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for at least thirty days for an aggregate period of one year. The assignment to countries outside the Bahamas for instructions, training or exercises will not justify the award of this decoration.