The Indian Army has issued guidelines regarding the wearing of family medals by the Next of Kin (NOK) of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) during certain ceremonial occasions. The instruction is particularly relevant for the families of decorated soldiers and veterans who wish to honour the service and sacrifices of their loved ones by wearing their medals at official remembrance ceremonies, war memorials, cemeteries and funerals.
A copy of the Army communication dated 11 July 2019, issued by the Adjutant General’s Branch, Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate, Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), South Block, New Delhi, specifies the circumstances under which family medals may be worn by the NOK of Ex-Servicemen.
Indian Army Family Medal Wearing Rules for NOK
The communication, bearing reference B/42901/Dress/AG/CW-1, was addressed to various Army Commands and formations and refers to Para 666 of Regulations for the Army, 1987 (Revised Edition) and an earlier AG/CW-1 letter dated 23 December 1998.
The subject of the communication is:
“WEARING OF FAMILY MEDALS BY NEXT OF KIN (NOK) – SERVICE PERS & EX-SERVICEMEN (ESM)”
According to the instruction, medals are ordinarily intended to be worn by the persons upon whom they were conferred. However, the Army has recognised the sentiment and pride associated with the medals earned by a deceased or veteran soldier and has permitted certain family members to wear family medals on specified occasions.
Who Can Wear Family Medals?
The instruction specifically provides that family medals may be worn on the right chest by the Next of Kin of Ex-Servicemen of the Indian Army when attending:
- Homage ceremonies at war memorials
- Cemeteries
- Funerals
The provision is intended to enable family members to appropriately represent and honour the military service of their deceased or veteran family member during solemn ceremonial occasions.
The instruction specifically highlights the role of the NOK in maintaining a sense of pride in the military service rendered by their family member.
Family Medals Are to Be Worn on the Right Chest
One of the important aspects of the Army instruction is the position of wearing the medals.
Where family members are permitted to wear the medals, the family medals are to be worn on the right chest.
This is different from the normal placement of medals by serving personnel or veterans who wear their own authorised medals as prescribed by the applicable dress regulations.
Therefore, eligible family members should not treat family medals as though they are wearing medals personally awarded to them.
Which Family Members Are Covered?
The communication states that family medals belonging to the spouse, parents, forefathers or children may be worn on the right chest during the specified occasions.
However, the permission is linked to the ceremonial occasions mentioned in the instruction. It should not be interpreted as a general permission to wear another person’s military medals at all public or private functions.
The relevant occasions are specifically: War memorial homage ceremonies, cemeteries and funerals. Formal Civil Dress Should Be Worn
The Army instruction also lays down an important condition concerning dress.
Family medals may be worn by the NOK only while wearing appropriate formal civil attire.
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Thus, when a family member attends one of the permitted ceremonies, the medals should be displayed respectfully on the right chest along with suitable formal civil dress.
The purpose is to preserve the dignity and solemnity of the occasion and appropriately represent the military service of the deceased or veteran.
What About Serving Personnel?
The communication also deals with serving personnel.
It states that serving personnel, if attired in formal civil dress, may also sport family medals when attending homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals.
This provides a specific ceremonial allowance for serving members who are attending such occasions in civilian/formal civil attire.
Only One Set of Family Medals Can Be Worn
Another important provision concerns situations where more than one set of family medals is available.
The Army instruction states that if more than one set of family medals is available, only one set will be worn as per the choice of survivors/NOK.
Therefore, multiple sets should not be displayed simultaneously by the same person merely because different family members or sources have preserved different sets.
Why This Rule Is Important for Military Families
Military medals are more than pieces of metal or decorations. They represent the service, courage, dedication and sacrifice of the soldier to whom they were awarded.
For families of Indian Army veterans and deceased soldiers, ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals are deeply significant occasions. Allowing the NOK to wear family medals on these occasions provides a dignified way of representing the military legacy of the family.
The 2019 communication therefore provides an important clarification for Ex-Servicemen families, war widows, parents, children and other eligible NOK regarding the ceremonial use of family medals.
Key Points at a Glance
| Point | Army Guideline |
| Subject | Wearing of family medals by NOK |
| Applicable to | Service personnel and Ex-Servicemen |
| Family members mentioned | Spouse, parents, forefathers and children |
| Where medals may be worn | Right chest |
| Permitted occasions | War memorial homage ceremonies, cemeteries and funerals |
| Dress requirement | Appropriate formal civil attire |
| Multiple sets | Only one set may be worn |
| Choice of set | As per choice of survivors/NOK |
| Communication date | 11 July 2019 |
| Issuing authority | Adjutant General’s Branch, Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate, Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) |
Important Point for Ex-Servicemen and NOK
The permission should be understood strictly in the context of the occasions specified in the Army communication. It does not mean that a family member can ordinarily wear the military medals awarded to another person at any function of their choice.
The document specifically provides for wearing family medals at homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals, with appropriate formal civil dress.
Families should also preserve the original medals, award documentation and other military records carefully, as these documents establish the connection between the medals and the service of the concerned soldier.
Army’s Recognition of the Military Legacy of Families
The provision reflects the importance attached to military traditions and the emotional connection between soldiers and their families. By permitting NOK to wear family medals during specified solemn occasions, the Army provides a formal means for families to display the military legacy of their loved ones with dignity.
For war widows, parents, children, spouses and other NOK of Indian Army personnel and Ex-Servicemen, understanding these guidelines can help ensure that family medals are worn correctly and only on occasions where such wearing is authorised.
Conclusion
The Indian Army’s 11 July 2019 instruction on wearing family medals by NOK provides a significant clarification for military families. As per the communication, family medals may be worn on the right chest by the NOK of Ex-Servicemen of the Indian Army while attending homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals. Serving personnel attending such occasions in formal civil dress may also wear family medals. Where more than one set is available, only one set may be worn according to the choice of the survivors/NOK.
The document is therefore particularly useful for Ex-Servicemen, war widows, military families, NOK, veterans’ organisations and Sainik Boards seeking clarity on the ceremonial wearing of family medals.