Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Australian Defence Medal
25 April 2007
Applications are now being taken from those members eligible for the newly-established Australian Defence Medal.
The Medal (ADM) has been established to recognise Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel who have demonstrated a commitment and contribution to the nation by serving for an initial enlistment period or four years service, whichever is the lesser.
Defence has estimated that more than one million serving and ex-serving ADF members will be eligible for the medal.
Ex-serving personnel who have served for four years (or have completed a lesser initial enlistment period) either as an ADF Regular or Reserve member since the end of World War II (3 September 1945) are eligible for the medal.
Eligibility for the medal has been extended to those personnel who:
- have died in service;
- have been medically discharged with a compensatory impairment at the time of their discharge, thus rendering them unable to serve the required minimum qualifying period; or
- have honourably served but, due to some Defence workplace enlistment policies of the time (as determined by the Chief of the Defence Force), were unable to serve the required minimum qualifying period.
National servicemen may also be eligible for the ADM, as the completion of their National Service obligation will be considered as completion of an initial enlistment period of service.
Applications should be made to Defence Honours and Awards, Department of Defence - the application form is available from the Defence Department website, the RSL and some other ex-service organisations.
It is important that applicants provide proof of service with their application. This can include a certified true copy (no originals please) of a Certificate of Service or Discharge Certificate or any other official documents which confirm the length of their service.
Ex-serving personnel who do not have certificates of service or other supporting documentation, should not contact Central Army Records Office, Navy records or RAAF records. Their applications should be submitted to DH&A regardless, who will then contact the service archives on behalf of applicants to conduct an assessment.
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