civil awards and decorations

Civil awards and decorations are awarded to civilians for distinguished service or for eminence in a field of endeavour. Military personnel might also be eligible for services of a non-military nature. There are several forms of civil awards and decorations:

• Orders of Chivalry, usually in several classes, for distinguished service to the government, the community, society or humanity. One example non-military in nature would be the British Order of St. Michael and St. George. Other orders may contain both military and civil divisions such as the Order of the British Empire;
• State orders that are not Orders of Chivalry, for service to the government, the community, society or humanity. An example would be certain Orders of the Russian Federation;
• Awards and decorations for service to the government or for eminence in a field of endeavour. Examples are the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service;
• Awards and decorations for bravery of civilians (including law enforcement and firefighting personnel). Examples would be the British George Cross, and the American Lifesaving Medal;
• Awards and decorations for distinguished service in law enforcement, firefighting and other services;
• Awards and decorations for long service in government, law enforcement, firefighting and other services;
• Awards and decorations that are international in nature, such as the United Nations Public Service Awards, the Nobel Prize, and Olympic medals.