- Australian Defence Medal
Infobox Military Award
name=Australian Defence Medal
caption= Medal and ribbon
awarded_by=Australia
type= Service
eligibility= members of the Australian military
for= 4 years service
status= Currently issued
description=
clasps=None
established=20 March 2006
first_award=
last_award=
total=112,000 as at30 June 2006
posthumous=
recipients=
individual=
higher= National Medal
same=
lower=Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
related=
caption2=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 on20 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 ofWorld War II . At30 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.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 theAustralia 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 theAustralian Defence Force , and also represent the services contributing to the peace of Australia .ee also
*
Australian Honours System
*Australian Honours Order of Precedence References
* [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/awards/medals/australian_defence_medal.cfm It's an Honour] - Australian Government site
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/medals/Content/+047%20ADM%20+%20ANSM/+070%20ADM/ ADF Honours and Awards] - Military site
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