History
The Joint Service Commendation Medal was authorised on 25 June 1963 as the joint world's counterpart to the service commendation medals, awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense for meritorious achievement or service in a joint duty capacity after 1 January 1963. It recognises the staff officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the organisations that answer to the Secretary and the Joint Chiefs, and in American precedence it stands above the commendation medals of the individual services.
From its institution the bronze V device could mark awards for acts of valour during combat operations, joined from 2016 by the C and R devices for combat conditions and remote impact. Australians posted into United States joint headquarters and task forces have been among its recipients, and for an Australian its wear follows the foreign awards rules, after all Australian honours in order of the date of award.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is built of four conjoined hexagons of green enamel bearing a gold eagle with outspread wings gripping three arrows, from the seal of the Department of Defense, beneath an arc of thirteen gold stars for the original colonies, with a gold heraldic device at the base for land, sea and air, the whole encircled by a gold laurel wreath. The reverse carries space for the recipient's name.
The ribbon
Commendation green and white at the centre, Department of Defense blue at the edges.
The ribbon has a central band of myrtle green and white stripes between broad bands of light blue: the green and white drawn from the Army and Navy commendation ribbons, the blue for the Department of Defense.
Clasps
Further awards and acts of valour are marked on the ribbon in the American fashion rather than by additional medals.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded in the name of the United States Secretary of Defense for meritorious achievement or service in a joint duty capacity after 1 January 1963.
- Eligibility covers members serving with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other defense agencies and joint activities, for service not recognised by a commendation medal of their own branch for the same period;
- Additional awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters; the bronze V device marks awards for acts of valour during combat operations, with the C and R devices available from 2016;
- For Australians, acceptance and wear require approval through the foreign awards process, with the medal worn after all Australian honours in order of the date of award. There is no post-nominal in Australian usage.
Order of wear
Foreign and international awards approved for acceptance and wearing are worn after all Australian honours and awards, in order of the date of award. The precise arrangement should be confirmed against the current Australian Order of Wear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Joint Service Commendation Medal awarded for?
Meritorious achievement or service in a joint duty capacity after 1 January 1963, awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of joint staffs, defense agencies and joint task forces.
How does it relate to the Army Commendation Medal?
They recognise the same standard of service, but the JSCM belongs to joint organisations and is worn above the service commendation medals in American precedence.
What does the V on the ribbon mean?
Valour: the award was made for acts of heroism during combat operations. The C and R devices from 2016 distinguish combat conditions and remote impact.
How did Australians come to hold it?
Through embedded postings in United States joint headquarters and task forces during the coalition era.
How are multiple awards shown?
By bronze oak leaf clusters, with a silver cluster replacing five bronze.
Can an Australian wear it on a rack?
With government approval through the foreign awards process: after all Australian honours and awards, in order of the date of award.