Australian Defence Medal

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Australian Defence Medal
Medal and ribbon
Awarded by Australia
Type	Service
Eligibility	members of the Australian military
Awarded for	4 years service
Status	Currently issued
Clasps	None
Statistics
Established	20 March 2006
Total awarded	112,000 as at 30 June 2006
Precedence
Next (higher)	National Medal
Next (lower)	Australian Cadet Forces Service 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. 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. At 30 June 2006, a total of 112,000 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 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 .