The Special Service Medal (SSM) recognizes members of the Canadian
Armed Forces (CAF) who have performed a service determined to be
under exceptional circumstances, in a clearly defined locality for a
specified duration. The SSM recognizes approved activities underway on 11
June 1984 or subsequently established. This medal is always issued with a
bar that specifies the special service being recognized, each bar having its
own criteria.
EXPEDITION
An aggregate of 180 days of honourable service performed outside Canada
beginning July 1, 2007, while deployed to participate in or provide direct
support on a full-time basis to approved operations, provided the said
service is not counted towards any other Canadian or foreign service
medal. In this context, “deployed” means sent outside of Canada temporarily, without family and effects, for the specific purpose of serving
in or supporting approved operations; postings to permanent positions
outside of Canada are excluded from eligibility.