I would like to ask if any one know's what is the award Officer dans L'Ordre des Palmes Academiques ? Who is the award awarded to and how is the selection critirea?

yep it consits in awarding people who have contributed to spread the french culture. It was created by Napoléon. At the beginning only teachers could be awarded. To get more infos go here (sorry it's in French) :
http://www.amopa.asso.fr/

Finally it has (almost) nothing to do in "military discussions".

Oh! Cause my friends father got that award and tonight, the Ambassador of France is going to present it to him!