Australian Defence Medal

The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years' service.^[1] It was established on 20 March 2006; however, it recognises qualifying efficient service of current and former Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel, including National Servicemen, who have served since 3 September 1945.^[2] It is estimated that up to one million current and ex-serving personnel are eligible for the award.^[5] At 30 June 2010, a total of 242,576 had been awarded.^[6]

The criteria also include those who could not serve the four-year qualifying period or complete an initial enlistment period for one or more of the following reasons:

• the death of a member during service.
• the discharge of the member as medically unfit due to compensable impairment.
• the discharge of the member due to a prevailing discriminatory Defence policy, as determined by the Chief of the Defence Force.^[1]

Description

• The Australian Defence Medal is a circular medal of cupro-nickel. The obverse features a stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms (as used on the Australia Service Medal 1939–45) with a sprig of wattle with the top outer edge inscribed with the words ‘The Australian Defence Medal’.
• The reverse has the words ‘For Service’ below the Crown of St Edward, surrounded by a wreath of wattle. The use of the wreath acknowledges the sacrifice of those who have died in service or been discharged due to injury resulting from service, a secondary qualification for the medal.
• The ribbon colours include the black and red colour of the Flanders poppy and two white stripes to divide the red into three segments to denote the three services of the Australian Defence Force, and also represent the services contributing to the peace of Australia.^[2]

See also

• Australian Honours System
• Australian Honours Order of Wearing
• Claude Choules

References

Orders, Decorations, and Medals of Australia Australian Honours Order of Precedence
Order of Australia (General Division and Military Division)	Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia (AK/AD)  • / Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)  • / Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)  • / Member of the Order of Australia (AM)  • / Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Gallantry Decorations	Victoria Cross for Australia (VC)  • Star of Gallantry (SG)  • Medal for Gallantry (MG)  • Commendation for Gallantry
Distinguished Service Decorations	Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)  • Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)  • Commendation for Distinguished Service
Bravery Decorations	Cross of Valour (CV)  • Star of Courage (SC)  • Bravery Medal (BM)  • Commendation for Brave Conduct  • Group Bravery Citation
Conspicuous Service Decorations	Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)  • Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)
Nursing Service	Nursing Service Cross (NSC)
Meritorious Service Awards	Public Service Medal (PSM)  • Australian Police Medal (APM)  • Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)  • Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)  • Emergency Services Medal (ESM)  • Australian Antarctic Medal (AAM)
Operational Service (Campaign) Medals	Warlike Australia Service Medal (1939–45)  • Australian Active Service Medal (1945–75)  • Vietnam Medal (1964–73)  • Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–73)  • Australian Active Service Medal  • International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000)  • Afghanistan Medal (2001–14)  • Iraq Medal (2003–13)  • Non-Warlike Australian General Service Medal Korea (1953–56)  • Australian Service Medal (1945–75)  • Australian Service Medal  • Rhodesia Medal (1979–80) Military Operations Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection  • Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian  • Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO
Non-Operational Service Medals	Police Overseas Service Medal  • Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal  • National Emergency Medal  • Civilian Service Medal (1939–45)
Commemorative Medals	King Edward VII Coronation Medal (1902)  • King George V Coronation Medal (1911)  • King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)  • King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953)  • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977)  • 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal (1999)  • Australian Sports Medal (2000)  • Centenary Medal (2001)
Long Service Medals	Defence Force Service Medal (1982–98)  • Reserve Force Decoration (1982–98) (RFD)  • Reserve Force Medal (1982–98)  • Defence Long Service Medal (1998–)  • National Medal (1975–)  • Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal (1999–)  • National Police Service Medal (2010–)
Other Defence Medals	Australian Defence Medal  • Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal
Skill-At-Arms	Champion Shots Medal
Unit Citations	/ Unit Citation for Gallantry  • / Meritorious Unit Citation