{{more citations needed|date=April 2023}} {{infobox award | name = Order of Defence Merit | image = Ordem do Mérito da Defesa (52137184379).jpg | caption = Cross of the Order of Defence Merit | presenter = Brazilian Armed Forces | country = {{BRA}} | type = State Order | eligibility = Members of the Brazilian Armed Forces or civilians and foreign armed forces and civilians | awarded_for = Relevant service to Brazilian Military | campaign = | status = | description = | motto = | clasps = | post-nominals = | established = 10 June 2002 | firstawarded = | lastawarded = | total_awarded = | total_awarded_posthumously = | total_recipients = | precedence_label = | individual = | higher = | same = | lower = | related = | image2 = BRA OMFA - OMD Cavaleiro BAR.svg | image2_size = 106px | caption2 = Ribbon bar of the order }} The '''Order of Defence Merit''' is an award of the Brazilian Military, established on 10 June 2002 by decree No. 4263. The order is presented in five grades and recognizes distinguished service and exceptional contributions to Brazil by members of the Brazilian Military and the armies of friendly nations as well as civilians, and, less common, to organizations and institutions.
==Grades== The five grades are Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.
{| class="wikitable" style="width:60%; margin:auto;" !colspan=5|Ribbons |- |width=20% valign=center align=center|{{MilAward Ribbon|GCODM|x30px}} Grand Cross<br /><small>{{lang|pt|Grã-Cruz}}</small> |width=20% valign=center align=center|{{MilAward Ribbon|GOODM|x30px}} Grand Officer<br /><small>{{lang|pt|Grande-Oficial}}</small> |width=20% valign=center align=center|{{MilAward Ribbon|CODM|x30px}} Commander<br /><small>{{lang|pt|Comendador}}</small> |width=20% valign=center align=center|{{MilAward Ribbon|OODM|x30px}} Officer<br /><small>{{lang|pt|Oficial}}</small> |width=20% valign=center align=center|{{MilAward Ribbon|KODM|x30px}}Knight<br /><small>{{lang|pt|Cavaleiro}}</small> |}
==Notable recipients== *Édouard Guillaud, France (Officer) *Elon Musk, American Inventor (2022, Commander)<ref>{{Cite web |year=2022 |title=REQUERIMENTO DE INFORMAÇÃO Nº, DE 2022 |url=https://www.camara.leg.br/proposicoesWeb/prop_mostrarintegra?codteor=2176140 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Câmara dos Deputados |language=pt}}</ref>
== Notes == {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Defence Merit}} Category:Orders, decorations, and medals of Brazil Category:2002 establishments in Brazil Category:Awards established in 2002
{{Brazil-mil-stub}} {{Orders-medals-stub}}