History
The Defence Force Service Awards were established on 20 April 1982 by Letters Patent, giving Australia its own military long service honours for the first time. Between 1975 and 1982 defence long service had been recognised by the National Medal, and before that by the Imperial awards. The Defence Force Service Medal was the permanent forces' medal of the new suite, awarded for fifteen years of efficient service, alongside the Reserve Force Decoration for Reserve officers and the Reserve Force Medal for Reserve other ranks.
From 20 April 1999 the medal was replaced for new recipients by the Defence Long Service Medal, which recognises Regular and Reserve service alike. The Defence Force Service Medal is therefore a closed award, but members who already hold it may continue to earn clasps for further periods of five years of efficient service in the permanent forces, including for service after 19 April 1999.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Defence Force Service Medal is a cupro-nickel circular medal with chamfered edges, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse bears the Defence Force Joint Service Emblem on a seven pointed star. The reverse is inscribed FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE PERMANENT FORCES around the circumference.
The ribbon
Gold and azure blue, the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction.
The 32 millimetre ribbon has three equal stripes of gold and azure blue, edged with azure blue. The colours were the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction, the same gold and blue worn by the National Medal that recognised defence long service before 1982.
Clasps
A clasp is awarded for each further period of five years of efficient service in the permanent forces, 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.
Five Year Clasp
A cupro-nickel bar bearing the Royal Cypher flanked by sprigs of wattle, awarded for each further period of five years of efficient service in the permanent forces. When the ribbon alone is worn, the first four clasps are shown by cupro-nickel round rosettes, replaced by a single silver Federation Star for the fifth clasp, with additional stars for subsequent clasps.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Force or a delegate, for fifteen years of efficient service completed on or after 14 February 1975.
- The qualifying period is not less than twelve years of permanent service, with up to three years of Reserve service allowed to be counted towards the fifteen years;
- Clasps are awarded for each further period of five years of efficient service in the permanent forces; Reserve service, including continuous full time service in the Reserve, does not count towards clasps;
- The medal was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal from 20 April 1999, but qualifying service for clasps can still be accrued after 19 April 1999.
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 was eligible for the Defence Force Service Medal?
Members of the permanent forces with fifteen years of efficient service completed on or after 14 February 1975. At least twelve of the fifteen years had to be permanent service, with up to three years of Reserve service allowed to count.
Is the medal still awarded?
No. It was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal from 20 April 1999. Members who already hold it, however, can continue to earn clasps for further five year periods of efficient service in the permanent forces.
How are clasps shown when the ribbon alone is worn?
By a cupro-nickel round rosette for each of the first four clasps. The rosettes are replaced by a single silver Federation Star for the fifth clasp, with additional stars for subsequent clasps.
What recognised defence long service before 1982?
Between 1975 and 1982 it was recognised by the National Medal, which is now primarily a civilian award. Before 1975, Australians were eligible for the Imperial long service awards.
Can I swap it for the Defence Long Service Medal?
A member cannot hold both at the same time. To have previously unrecognised service counted towards the Defence Long Service Medal, the Defence Force service award must be returned before the new medal is issued.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
No. Of the 1982 suite, only the Reserve Force Decoration carries a post-nominal.