Australian Defence Medal

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Australian Defence Medal
Awarded by Australia
Type	Campaign medal
Awarded for
Statistics
Established	2006

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. It was established on 20 March 2006, it recognises qualifying efficient service of current and former Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel, including National Servicemen, who have served since the end of World War II. As of 21 April 2006, a total of 8,000 medals have been issued.

The criteria also includes 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.

[edit] Description

The Australian Defence Medal is a circular medal comprised of cupro-nickel. The obverse features the Commonwealth Coat of Arms with a sprig of wattle with the top outer edge inscribed with the words ‘The Australian Defence Medal’. The reverse is ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward and includes the words ‘For Service’, surrounded by a wreath of wattle. 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.