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National Service Medals
Medals are available to National
Servicemen who served and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Application forms for the Anniversary of
National Service and the Australian Defence medals may be
obtained from your Local Federal Member of Parliament, the Returned and
Services Leagues of Australia and the Directorate of Honours and Awards
webpage found within the Department of Defence web site.
The Anniversary
of National Service 1951-1972 Medal
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The Anniversary of
National Service 1951-1972 Medal (ANSM) was introduced in
2001 to recognised those who completed their obligation
under the two National Service schemes that had operated in
Australia between 1951 and 1972.
The Medal
The medal is
bronze with front having a central device derived from the
current Australian Defence Force Emblem reflecting, more
historically, national service as it related to the defence force during the 1950s and 1960s, with the crossed
swords of the Army taking precedence, being the arm
predominantly affected by national service.
Surrounding the outer edge are the words 'ANNIVERSARY OF
NATIONAL SERVICE' and at the central bottom edge, the years
'1951-1972'.
The
reverse side bears a central device of lines radiating from
a nucleus, over-layered with the stars of the Southern
Cross, representing national service being influential in
the machinery of the defence force during a time of need and
its broad impact in Australia.
Surrounding the
central device is a cog, the traditional symbol representing
the spirit of cooperation between the Australian Defence
Force and the Australian community, thus recognising those
who accepted the obligation to serve as part of national
service.
The Ribbon
The ribbon has a central
yellow stripe, flanked by two dark blue stripes, which are
in turn flanked by white, green and light blue strips and
ochre edges. The central yellow and dark blue stripes
represent
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Australia's
national colours of the time; the white, green
and light blue represent the Navy, Army and Air
Force, and the outer ochre stripes represent the
Australian soil.
Eligibility
Eligibility is dependent upon a persons
obligation to serve and upon this obligation being fulfilled under the
National Service Act 1951 (as amended), as it applied to the individual
at the time of his service. Additionally, he must not have been
discharged for disciplinary reasons. No women were conscripted
under the National Service Act.
The Australian
Defence Medal
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The ADM was established to
recognise Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve
personnel who have demonstrated their commitment and
contribution to the nation by servicing for an initial
enlistment period, or four years, whichever is the lesser.
The Medal
The ADM is a cupro-nickel medal.
The front shows a stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat
of Arms used on the Australia Service Medal 1939-45 above a
sprig of wattle and surrounded by the inscription 'THE
AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL'.
The reverse side has the
inscription 'FOR SERVICE' below the Crown of St Edward all
surrounded by a wattle wreath. The use of the wreath
acknowledges the sacrifice of those who have died in service
or been discharged due to injury resulting from service, a
secondary qualification for the medal.
The Ribbon
The ADM ribbon is red with black
edges, the colours of Flanders Poppy that represent the
Anzac spirit of the Australian Armed Forces. The white
stripes divide the ribbon into three, to denote the three
Services and also represent service contributing to the
peace of Australia.
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Eligibility
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA EFFECTIVE
3 SEPTEMBER 1945
All Permanent Force and Reserve Force Members and
National Servicemen who after 2 September 1945, efficiently
completed either:
Included are former Defence Force Members who did not
complete the qualifying period because they:
The protocol for
the order of wearing of your medals can be found by clicking on
the following link:
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