Order "For Services to the Fatherland" - state award of the Russian Federation

All states have their own award legislation. Russia with its centuries-old history deserves special mention in the sphere of encouraging citizens of the country. This is expressed in recognizing the merit of a person, understanding the benefits brought to society. Each award promotes further stimulation of the processes of forming new directions in improving the life of the state.

In 1992, the government of the Russian Federation issued a decree that contained a list of orders and medals to reward worthy candidates for their great success. The developers tried to preserve the age-old values in drawing up awards, take into account the traditions of the award system of the Russian Empire and the RSFSR. After two years, the president was instructed to change and supplement this list, where the main award of the country was the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

The purpose of the Order "For Services to the Fatherland"

After the separation of the USSR and the adoption of a new Constitution, the government of the Russian Federation raised the issue of improving the award system, which would reflect the centuries-old history of the state and corresponded to the ideas of modern society.

According to the decree of the head of the state from 02.03.1994 for № 442, the Order "For Services to the Fatherland" became the highest award of the Russian Federation. This decree also included the extension of preferential terms to persons who are in accord with such a high promotion.

List of citizens who deserve a high award

Award list of citizens:

• Socially active participants in the development of society;
• Citizens who made a significant contribution to improving the state economy;
• Servants of culture and art;
• Outstanding athletes;
• Scientific workers in the field of research;
• Citizens who carry out peaceful and friendly relations with other states;
• People who spend huge forces to develop and strengthen the defense activities of the state.

The Order "For Service to the Fatherland" has historical roots since the XVIII century. This relationship is visible if you pay attention to the motto that is on the reward: "Good, Honor and Glory." This dictum, the Empress Catherine in 1782, introduced the Order of St. Vladimir, which she herself established.

Charter

The award system continued to change. In this regard, on September 7, 2010, the President of the Russian Federation issued a decree for No. 1099, which provided for the improvement of the award system. The document consisted of many provisions on state awards. They included the rules for obtaining, storing, inheriting, and the proper system for placing orders and medals. The Order "For Services to the Fatherland" also received changes and additions to the charter and description.

Today, in connection with the editing of the statute, the award exists in four degrees. The first belongs to the highest. As a rule, first the worthy are awarded with the fourth degree. However, before the recipient is awarded the Order, he must be awarded a medal "For Services to the Fatherland".

Exceptions to the rules are:

• Heroes of the Russian Federation.
• Citizens who have merit in various spheres of work.
• Heroes of social. Labor.
• Heroes of the former USSR.

And:

• Citizens who have the honorary title of "People's".
• Order of Ushakov.
• Order of Alexander Nevsky.
• Order of Suvorov or St. George.

The President of the Russian Federation may propose a reward for the award of a person who has not previously received any state awards. Each award has differences in appearance. The ceremony of awarding the Order and the medal takes place every year twice: during the celebration of the Constitution Day and the Independence Day of Russia. The servicemen distinguished during the military actions are awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, with an additional element of symbolism - two crossed swords.

Description

The author of the design decision of the order was the artist Eugene Ukhnalev. The main material is silver, covered with gold. The front side is made in the form of a straight cross, enameled with a purple color with gilded edges and a two-headed crowned eagle in the center. To reward the military, there are additional differences - two crossed swords. On the reverse side of the order, the saying "Good, Honor and Glory" is written.

The star "For Services to the Fatherland" is made of pure silver with eight beams and a medallion that contains the image of the emblem of the Russian state. On its edges the same saying is written, as on the order. The star is attached to the clothes with a pin.

A small historical note

An interesting fact is that the saying "The benefit of honor and glory" was written without a comma since the time of Empress Catherine, but the punctuation mistake was not corrected, but left as recognition of the symbols of the imperial palace.

The order of placement on clothes

All awards of the country in the form of medal and order provide for proper wearing in accordance with established norms. The basis of the order of wearing the awards was the method that was present in Imperial Russia - on a special tape.

A high award represents different characteristics of the types of tapes. These include:

• Color and fabric. The tape is made of silk fabric with moire (bandage) of burgundy color.
• Tapes of 100 mm width refer to the first degree, 45 mm to the second degree, 24 mm to the third degree.
• The method of wearing the award has two positions: the brachial and cervical.

The Order, according to established norms, should be placed above other available awards on the left side. For permanent wearing, there is a miniature copy of this award, only 16 mm in size.

Degrees and types of state awards

There is a clear subordination of state awards for a special contribution to the life of the country.

1. The first category of distinction is a medal. It provides for two degrees, and it is awarded, as a rule, to the military, distinguished in combat operations.
2. The second category is the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, which has four degrees. The highest of them is the I degree.

Order of the 1st and 2nd degree presupposes the wearing of a star and a sign, the third and fourth degree - only orders. The sequence of rewarding is from the fourth degree to the first. A person who has a first-degree medal and has manifested himself again, is awarded the Order of the fourth degree.

Other state awards

State awards are not limited to the Order of Merit for the Fatherland. Their number is due to the outstanding merits of citizens before the Motherland. A special place in the list of awards is the Order "For Military Merit". This award is given to the military, ensuring the security of the state, as well as rewarding it for selfless performance of duty, courage and courage. The Order is awarded only military officers.

Order "For Military Merit" provides for rewarding for the achievements of combat success, excellent combat readiness of various kinds of troops.

The award includes the Order of Merit of the 3rd degree. They are awarded to persons who have made a useful contribution to various spheres of the life of the state.

The Order "For Labor Merit" has five titles. These include:

• Order of the Red Banner of Labor and Labor Glory.
• Order of Lenin, the October Revolution and the Order of the Badge of Honor.

State awards of the RF are the main indicator of the people's achievements in the development and improvement of their native country.