Defence Force Service Medal
Encyclopedia
The Defence Force Service Medal (DFSM) is an Australian Military
award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force
. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Reserve Force Decoration
(RFD, for officers of the Australian Defence Force
Reserves) and the Reserve Force Medal
(RFM, for non-commissioned members of the Reserve forces). All three medals were replaced in 2002 with a single medal, the Defence Long Service Medal
, which is now awarded to all permanent and reserve members irrespective of rank.
Additional service clasps are issued for each further 5 years after the initial 15 year qualifying service period. On the ribbon, a rosette indicates the award of each clasp, although the fifth and subsequent clasps are indicated by a small Federation Star
. With the introduction of the Defence Long Service Medal, the DFSM is now a closed award with only clasps to existing awards continuing to be issued.
Australian Defence Medal
While not awarded for "long service" per se, the Australian Defence Medal
is sometimes classified as a "long service medal" - it is intended to recognise all those who completed an obligation to serve their country (whether voluntarily or conscripted).
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Reserve Force Decoration
Reserve Force Decoration
The Reserve Force Decoration is an Australian Military award given for long service by officers of the Reserve Forces. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Defence Force Service Medal and the Reserve Force Medal The Reserve Force...
(RFD, for officers of the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
Reserves) and the Reserve Force Medal
Reserve Force Medal
The Reserve Force Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by non-commissioned members of the Reserve Forces. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Defence Force Service Medal and the Reserve Force Decoration...
(RFM, for non-commissioned members of the Reserve forces). All three medals were replaced in 2002 with a single medal, the Defence Long Service Medal
Defence Long Service Medal
The Defence Long Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent and reserve members of the Australian Defence Force, irrespective of rank...
, which is now awarded to all permanent and reserve members irrespective of rank.
Additional service clasps are issued for each further 5 years after the initial 15 year qualifying service period. On the ribbon, a rosette indicates the award of each clasp, although the fifth and subsequent clasps are indicated by a small Federation Star
Commonwealth Star
The Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....
. With the introduction of the Defence Long Service Medal, the DFSM is now a closed award with only clasps to existing awards continuing to be issued.
Description
- The DFSM is a cupro-nickelCupronickelCupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
circular chamferedChamferA chamfer is a beveled edge connecting two surfaces. If the surfaces are at right angles, the chamfer will typically be symmetrical at 45 degrees. A fillet is the rounding off of an interior corner. A rounding of an exterior corner is called a "round" or a "radius"."Chamfer" is a term commonly...
medal. The obverse has the Joint Service EmblemAustralian Defence Force EnsignThe Australian Defence Force Ensign is a flag of Australia which represents the tri-service Australian Defence Force. The flag was declared a "Flag of Australia" under Section 5 of the Flags Act 1953 on 14 April 2000....
. - The reverse is inscribed 'FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE PERMANENT FORCES' around the circumference.
- The 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 clasp is a cupro-nickel bar with the Royal CypherRoyal CypherIn modern heraldry, a royal cypher is a monogram-like device of a country's reigning sovereign, typically consisting of the initials of the monarch's name and title, sometimes interwoven and often surmounted by a crown. In the case where such a cypher is used by an emperor or empress, it is called...
flanked by sprigs of wattleGolden WattleAcacia pycnantha is Australia's floral emblem. It is a tree which flowers in late winter and spring, producing a mass of fragrant, fluffy, golden flowers.-Description:...
in the centre. When the ribbon is worn alone a clasp is indicated by the addition of a cupro-nickel round rosette, or a silver miniature Federation StarCommonwealth StarThe Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....
.
Other Australian Long Service Awards
Other Australian Long Service Awards include:- Reserve Force DecorationReserve Force DecorationThe Reserve Force Decoration is an Australian Military award given for long service by officers of the Reserve Forces. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Defence Force Service Medal and the Reserve Force Medal The Reserve Force...
- Reserve Force MedalReserve Force MedalThe Reserve Force Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by non-commissioned members of the Reserve Forces. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Defence Force Service Medal and the Reserve Force Decoration...
- Defence Long Service MedalDefence Long Service MedalThe Defence Long Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent and reserve members of the Australian Defence Force, irrespective of rank...
- National MedalNational Medal (Australia)The National Medal is an Australian award given for long service by operational members of specified eligible organisations. It was introduced in 1975, as an original component of the new Australian honours system, and replaced a range of medals available to military and civilian uniformed...
- Australian Cadet Forces Service MedalAustralian Cadet Forces Service MedalThe Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal is awarded to recognise long and efficient service by officers and instructors in the Australian Cadet Forces. It is awarded for 15 years service...
Australian Defence Medal
While not awarded for "long service" per se, the Australian Defence Medal
Australian Defence Medal
The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service...
is sometimes classified as a "long service medal" - it is intended to recognise all those who completed an obligation to serve their country (whether voluntarily or conscripted).
See also
- Australian Honours Order of PrecedenceAustralian Honours Order of Precedence- Order of wear :Order of precedence for the wearing of decorations and awards within the Australian Honours System.Articles marked with * are awards of the British Empire/United Kingdom and are now considered foreign....
- Australian Honours SystemAustralian Honours System-History:The Commonwealth of Australia, until 1975, used the Imperial or British honours system. Only a handful of peerages were created for Australians, some in recognition of public services rendered in Britain rather than Australia. Some hereditary peers and baronets whose titles derive from...
External links
- Defence Force Service Medal, itsanhonour.gov.au
- DFSM Fact Sheet, itsanhonour.gov.au
- Number awarded, itsanhonour.gov.au