Instituted in 1922 as a lower level award connected with the Order of the British Empire, the British Empire Medal (BEM) was originally awarded to non commissioned officers and civilians for meritorious service. Between 1957 and 1974 the medal and various grades of the Order of the British Empire were also awarded for gallantry, and this was denoted by crossed oak leaves on the ribbon. This policy was discontinued in 1974 on the introduction of the Queen's Gallantry Medal. The British Empire Medal was awarded to New Zealand military personnel until December 1995.