History
Officer of the Order of the British Empire, the OBE, is the fourth class of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This is the military division of the appointment, created in 1918, recognising distinguished service by members of the armed forces. The Order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.
The Order was founded to fill the gaps in an honours system that had recognised mainly senior officers, civil servants, diplomats and those who served the royal family, and it was the first order open on equal terms to women and to people of every walk of life. A military division was created in 1918. In 1937 the insignia changed: the figure of Britannia at the centre of the badge gave way to the busts of King George V and Queen Mary, and the ribbon changed from purple to rose-pink with pearl-grey edges. As an Imperial honour it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The badge is a cross patonce in silver-gilt for the Officer's class. The central medallion bears the crowned busts of King George V and Queen Mary within a crimson circlet inscribed FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE, the reverse carrying the royal cypher; before 1937 the medallion bore Britannia. The badge is worn by men on the left chest and by women from a bow on the left shoulder.
The ribbon
Rose-pink with pearl-grey edges and a central grey stripe.
The ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges and an additional pearl-grey stripe down the centre, which distinguishes the military division from the civil. Before 1937 the ribbon was purple with a central red stripe.
Eligibility
The OBE is an appointment to the fourth class of the Order of the British Empire; this is the military division.
- The military division recognises distinguished service by members of the armed forces;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters OBE; the class does not carry the title Sir or Dame;
- The military division's ribbon is rose-pink with pearl-grey edges and an additional central pearl-grey stripe. As an Imperial honour it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975, and they retain their place in the Order of Wearing. Appointments to an order of chivalry are worn before medals of the same era, in the order of precedence of the orders. As an Imperial honour the Order of the British Empire retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a military OBE?
Officer of the Order of the British Empire in its military division, the fourth class of the Order, for distinguished service by members of the armed forces.
How is it told apart from the civil division?
By the ribbon: the military division carries an additional pearl-grey stripe down the centre, which the civil division lacks.
When was the military division created?
In 1918, the year after the Order's foundation, when awards began to be made to serving naval and military personnel.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters OBE, the same as the civil division.
Does it make the holder a Sir or Dame?
No; only the two senior classes carry that title.
What does the badge show?
A silver-gilt cross patonce with, since 1937, the busts of King George V and Queen Mary within the motto FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE.