The award is for distinguished services given to public dignitaries, public service officers and other professionals.
It is divided into three categories; Chief of the order of the burning spear(C.B.S) where the medal has a black ribbon, half green with a white-edged red central stripe
There is also the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear(E.B.S), whose medal includes a breast star and neck badge
Moran of the order of the Burning Spear(M.B.S) only has a neck badge.