Artist's rendering of the new Sacrifice Medal. (Courtesy of Governor General of Canada)

The Canadian Forces will soon be awarding the first of many new Sacrifice Medals to recognize soldiers who die on military service, not just those targeted during combat.

The medal was first announced in August 2008, after being approved by the Queen, and was originally intended to be awarded to soldiers injured or killed "on the condition that the occurrence is directly related to a hostile action."

However, after a protest from the families of some soldiers, the military suspended the award and promised to review the criteria for when it should be awarded.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay released the new criteria Monday, expanding eligibility for the honour. The Sacrifice Medal will now be awarded posthumously to any soldier who dies on military service — whether or not the soldier is overseas or in a combat situation.

Eligibility goes back to Oct. 7, 2001, covering the entire length of Canada's military mission in Afghanistan. The change means that families of soldiers who died in vehicle rollovers or other accidents, for example, will receive the circular silver medal to mark the sacrifice.

The Sacrifice Medal will also be awarded to soldiers wounded in combat overseas, replacing the old Wound Stripe that marked the same kind of sacrifice.

The criteria for wounded soldiers to receive the medal have not changed from what was originally announced. Wounds have to be received as a result of hostile action and documented as having been treated by a medical officer.

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean will present the first new Sacrifice Medals next month, during a ceremony tied to Remembrance Day. The recipients have not yet been named.

"The selflessness demonstrated by the members of the Canadian Forces and the civilians working alongside them must be honoured," Jean said in a news release Monday. "They are ready to put their health and their very lives on the line in the hopes that democracy, security and peace will prevail in places where these ideals have ceased to exist.

"For this, we must recognize their courage and their sacrifices."