" 

 == Not promoted from MBE, separate divisions == 

 It's DBE MBE (Mil.)  Not just ""DBE""; ""DBE (promoted from MBE)"" is even worse.  The reason is that they are two separate division of the Order of the British Empire.  You can, as Holmes has, be appointed to both divisions.  She was originally appointed in the Military division because she was a soldier.  I realise that this is one of the more obscure vagaries of the British honours system, but it's the sort of thing that people should leave alone."