History
Adult officers and instructors of cadets had their own Imperial long service award, the Cadet Forces Medal, established in 1950 and awarded for twelve years of service with the Naval Reserve Sea Cadets, the Australian Army Cadet Corps or the Air Training Corps. When the Imperial honours system was set aside in 1975, Commonwealth support for the cadet movement was also withdrawn. The movement survived, and was eventually brought back under the sponsorship of the Australian Defence Force.
The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal was formally established on 15 December 1999 by Letters Patent to replace the Cadet Forces Medal. It is awarded to officers and instructors of cadets in the Australian Navy Cadets, the Australian Army Cadets and the Australian Air Force Cadets who have, on or after 14 February 1975, completed fifteen years of qualifying service, with clasps for each additional five year period.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal is cupro-nickel, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse bears the emblem of the Australian Cadet Forces surrounded by the inscription AUSTRALIAN CADET FORCES SERVICE MEDAL. The reverse has a Federation Star beneath a plaque carrying the recipient's details.
The ribbon
Blue and gold at the centre for long service, edged navy, red and light blue for the three Services.
The 32 millimetre ribbon has central stripes of blue and gold, the traditional Australian long service colours, with three outer stripes of navy, red and light blue representing the links with the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Clasps
A clasp is awarded for each additional five year period of qualifying service, worn on the ribbon above the medal. When the ribbon alone is worn, clasps are shown by rosettes and, from the fifth clasp, a silver Federation Star.
Clasp (further 5 years)
A cupro-nickel bar bearing the Royal Cypher flanked by sprigs of wattle, awarded for each additional five year period of qualifying service. When the ribbon alone is worn, the first four clasps are shown by cupro-nickel round rosettes, replaced by a silver Federation Star for the fifth, with additional stars for subsequent clasps.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Force or a delegate, to officers and instructors of cadets who have, on or after 14 February 1975, completed fifteen years of qualifying service.
- It is awarded for service with the Australian Navy Cadets, the Australian Army Cadets and the Australian Air Force Cadets;
- Clasps are awarded for each additional five year period of qualifying service;
- There is no post-nominal for the medal.
Order of wear
The medal is worn among the Australian long service awards, after the campaign and commemorative medals. The precise neighbours in the order of wear should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal?
Officers and instructors of cadets in the Australian Navy Cadets, the Australian Army Cadets and the Australian Air Force Cadets who have, on or after 14 February 1975, completed fifteen years of qualifying service.
Does the medal have clasps?
Yes. Clasps are awarded for each additional five year period of qualifying service, shown on the ribbon by rosettes and, from the fifth clasp, a silver Federation Star.
What came before it?
The Imperial Cadet Forces Medal, established in 1950 and awarded for twelve years of service with the cadet corps of the three Services. It ceased to be issued in Australia when the Imperial system was set aside in 1975, and the Australian medal replaced it in 1999.
Is it an ADF long service medal?
No. The cadet organisations are sponsored by the Australian Defence Force but are not part of it. Service in the ADF itself is recognised by the Defence long service awards instead.
What do the ribbon colours mean?
The central blue and gold are the traditional Australian long service colours, and the outer stripes of navy, red and light blue represent the links with the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No.