The Order of the Cross of Liberty is a military and defence order of merit. The Order applies a broad-based concept of national defence in its operation. The decorations of the Order of the Cross of Liberty are conferred to citizens for military merits, activities in support of the Finnish Defence Forces and national defence, voluntary work in national defence and for the war veterans, merits in international crisis management, and activities strengthening the external security of our country. Decorations of the Order of the Cross of Liberty can also be conferred upon foreign nationals.