Honours & gallantry awards
Recipients of these level 1 to level 3 awards may use the appropriate abbreviation (as shown in brackets in the table below) as a post-nominal.
Hierarchy of gallantry, leadership and bravery awards for active operations (in presence of the enemy):
| Level 1 |
Victoria Cross (VC) |
| Level 2 |
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
(for command and leadership |
Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC)
(for gallantry) |
| Level 3 |
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
(at sea) |
Military Cross (MC)
(on land) |
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
(in the air) |
| Level 4 |
Mention in Despatches
(for bravery, no post-nominal) |
Hierarchy of gallantry and bravery awards for non-active operations (not in presence of the enemy):
| Level 1 |
George Cross (GC) |
| Level 2 |
George Medal (GM) |
| Level 3 |
Queens's Gallantry Medal (QGM) |
Air Force Cross (AFC) |
| Level 4 |
Queen's Commendation for Bravery |
Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air |
| (both for bravery, no post-nominal) |