History
The Reserve Force Decoration was established on 20 April 1982 by Letters Patent as part of the Defence Force Service Awards, the suite that gave Australia its own military long service honours. It recognised fifteen years of efficient service as an officer, of which not less than twelve years had to be served as an officer of the Reserve Forces, commencing on or after 14 February 1975.
The decoration carries the post-nominal RFD, the only long service award in the Australian honours system to carry a post-nominal entitlement, continuing the tradition of distinctive decorations for reserve officers under the Imperial system. From 20 April 1999 the decoration was replaced for new recipients by the Defence Long Service Medal, though clasps may still be issued to existing holders in accordance with the eligibility criteria.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The Reserve Force Decoration is an oval cupro-nickel medal surrounded by a gilt wreath of wattle and ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse bears the Defence Force Joint Service Emblem on a rayed background. The reverse is inscribed FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE RESERVE FORCES.
The ribbon
Three equal stripes of azure blue and gold, the national colours at the time of introduction.
The 32 millimetre ribbon has three equal stripes of azure blue and gold. The colours were the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction.
Clasps
A clasp is awarded for each additional five years of efficient service, worn on the ribbon above the decoration. When the ribbon alone is worn, clasps are shown by oval rosettes and, from the fifth clasp, a silver Federation Star.
Five Year Clasp
A gilt bar bearing the Royal Cypher flanked by sprigs of wattle, awarded for each additional five years of efficient service. The Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II is used for service up to and including 5 May 2023, and the Cypher of King Charles III for service on or after 6 May 2023. When the ribbon alone is worn, the first four clasps are shown by cupro-nickel oval rosettes, replaced by a silver Federation Star at the fifth.
Eligibility
The decoration 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 as an officer, commencing on or after 14 February 1975.
- Not less than twelve of the fifteen years must have been served as an officer of the Reserve Forces;
- Clasps are awarded for each additional five years, and may still be issued to existing holders in accordance with the eligibility criteria, although the decoration itself was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal from 20 April 1999;
- The decoration carries the post-nominal RFD.
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 Reserve Force Decoration?
Officers with fifteen years of efficient service commencing on or after 14 February 1975, of which not less than twelve years was served as an officer of the Reserve Forces.
What does the post-nominal RFD mean?
Recipients are entitled to use the letters RFD after their name. It is the only long service award in the Australian honours system with a post-nominal entitlement.
Is the decoration still awarded?
No. It was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal from 20 April 1999, though clasps may still be issued to existing holders in accordance with the eligibility criteria.
Which Royal Cypher appears on the clasp?
The Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II for service up to and including 5 May 2023, and the Cypher of King Charles III for service on or after 6 May 2023.
How does it differ from the Reserve Force Medal?
The decoration was for officers and carries a gilt wreath of wattle and the post-nominal. The Reserve Force Medal recognised the same fifteen years of efficient service by other ranks, without wreath or post-nominal.
How are clasps shown on the ribbon bar?
By a cupro-nickel oval rosette for each of the first four clasps, replaced by a silver Federation Star at the fifth.