Some First Person Stuff
Other Useful"tid-bits."

Our Awards Policy

Please take notice that the German soldiers were issued medals but unlike the soldiers that we are portraying; we do not face the same trials that they did. Because of this we feel that no one in JR459 will ever wear an Iron Cross I. Class (Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse [EKI]).

Charging a machinegun firing blanks does not even match up to what the original members of 8.Kompagnie faced in 1918.

1. The only awards authorized in JR459 are:

- Iron Cross II. Class (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse [EKII])-for exceptional services to the unit;

- Hamburg Hanseatic Cross (Hamburgisches Hanseaten-Kreuz [HHK])-for services to the unit of a lesser degree than merits the Iron Cross II Class;

- Black Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen-schwarz)-for actual injuries of a serious nature incurred during an event;

- Service Award, III Class (Dienstauszeichnung III. Klasse)-for 5 years service in JR459;

- Service Award, II Class (Dienstauszeichnung III. Klasse)-for 10 years service in JR459;

2. Only the above-listed awards are given by the unit may be worn by unit IR459 members.

3. Recommendations for the EKII and HHK may be proposed to the unit by any member at a unit meeting at which 65% of the unit is present. No one may propose himself for the EKII or HHK.

4. Requests for the Wound Badge are made at a unit meeting at which 65% of the unit is present by the individual who suffered the injury.

5. Service Award are automatic so long as the individual meets the requirements, regularly attends events, and is current with yearly dues (including any back dues owed).

6. In proposing an award that is not automatic, the individual will explain why he believes the award is deserved. Once the proposal is made, it requires a second. If seconded, discussion will be allowed, and, at the conclusion of the discussion, a vote will be called. If the vote is favorable (i.e., 51% for), the award is approved. During discussion, proposed awards of the EKII or HHK may be upgraded or downgraded.

7. Awards are worn as follows:

On the combat uniform-

- The ribbon of the EKII or HHK may be worn in the second button hole of the tunic (or at a corresponding location on the Bluse) or as a pin-on kleine Ordenschnalle (informal ribbon bar) on the upper left tunic breast in a position corresponding to the location of the second button hole.

- If both the EKII and HHK are worn in the buttonhole or corresponding position, the EKII is always placed on top. On the kleine Ordenschnalle, the EKII is always the first ribbon on the left of the bar when looking at the wearer (i.e., closest to the coat front).

- Only one Service Award may be worn at any one time. The ribbon of the Service Award may only be worn on a kleine Ordenschnalle (i.e., wear in the buttonhole, or corresponding position, is not permitted).

- The Wound Badge is worn on the left breast approximately midway between the level of the second buttonhole and the waist. If the announced scenario for an event is before March, 1918, it may not be worn.

On the uniform worn for other than combat (e.g., social) events-

- Awards may be worn as described above, or,

- A große Ordenschnalle (medal bar) may be worn. The medal bar precedence from left to right-looking at the wearer-is: EKII; HHK, and the highest Service Award held. A große Ordenschnalle may not be worn in conjunction with ribbons worn in the buttonhole.

- The wound Badge is worn as above.

8. On a one time only basis, individual who were members of JR63 for more than 3 years and joined JR459 between December 2001 and March, 2002 will receive the Service Award, III Class (Dienstauszeichnung III. Klasse) and receive credit for five (5) years service toward the next-highest award.

Individuals who joined JR459 during the same timeframe, but had less than 3 years service in JR63 will receive credit for two (2) years toward award of the Service Award, III Class (Dienstauszeichnung III. Klasse) under the JR459 criteria.

9. Individuals joining JR459 from other units who already possess awards will have those awards evaluated by the unit commander, who will propose to the unit as a whole if the existing awards should be accepted, downgraded, or denied. Disposition will be based on a unit vote.