Defence Long Service Medal

The Defence Long Service Medal is an Australian military award given for long service by permanent and reserve members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), irrespective of rank. It was introduced in 1998, and replaced the suite of ADF service awards introduced in 1982, which comprised the Defence Force Service Medal, the Reserve Force Medal and the Reserve Force Decoration.

Defence Long Service Medal


Obverse of medal (with bar) and ribbon
Awarded by Australia
TypeLong Service Medal
EligibilityMembers of the Australian Defence Force, including reserves
Awarded fora minimum of 15 years "qualifying service", including an assessment of good conduct
StatusCurrently awarded
Claspsfor each additional 5 years of service
Statistics
Established1998
Total awarded33,000[1]
Order of Wear
Next (higher)Reserve Force Medal[2]
Next (lower)National Medal[2]
RelatedDefence Force Service Medal
Reserve Force Decoration (RFD)
- 15 years

- 20 years

- 25 years

- 30 years

- 35 years

- 40 years
Ribbon with Rosette(s) (top four),
Ribbon with Federation Star (bottom)

Additional service clasps, each indicating a further 5 years after the initial 15 year qualifying service, are issued. The first four clasps to the medal are indicated by rosettes on the ribbon. These are replaced by a single silver Federation Star for the fifth clasp. Additional Federation Star emblems are added for subsequent clasps.

Other Australian Long Service Awards include:

While the Australian Defence Medal is sometimes classified as a "long service medal", it is intended to recognise all those who completed an obligation to serve their country (whether voluntarily or conscripted), and is not awarded for "long service" per se.

Description
  • The DLSM is a cupro-nickel medal. The obverse has the Joint Service Emblem surrounded by two sprays of wattle leaves and blossom.
  • The reverse has a central horizontal panel surrounded by the inscription 'FOR SERVICE IN THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE'.
  • The ribbon has a central panel of 7 alternating blue and gold stripes flanked by blue stripes gold edges. The colours and design reflect those of the replaced medals.
  • The clasp is a cupro-nickel bar with the Royal Cypher flanked by sprigs of wattle in the centre. When the ribbon is worn alone a clasp is indicated by the addition of a cupro-nickel round rosette or a silver miniature Federation Star.
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See also
  • Australian Honours System
  • Australian Honours Order of Precedence

References
  1. Medal Yearbook 2013. Honiton, Devon: Token. 2013. p. 398. ISBN 978-1-908-828-00-2.
  2. "The Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). It's an Honour. Australian Government. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
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