__NOTOC__ The Defence Force Service Medal (DFSM) is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the

Australian Defence Force The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the military organisation responsible for the defence of the Commonwealth of Australia and its national interests. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Fo ...

. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the

Reserve Force Decoration The Reserve Force Decoration (postnominal RFD) 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 Defenc ...

(RFD, for officers of the

Reserves) and the

Reserve Force Medal The Reserve Force Medal (RFM) 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 ...

(RFM, for non-commissioned members of the Reserve forces). All three medals were replaced with effect 20 April 1999 with a single medal, the

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 (ADF), irrespective of rank. It was introduced in 1998, and replaced the suite of ADF service ...

, 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 The Commonwealth Star (also known as the Federation Star, the Seven Point Star, or the Star of Federation) is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901. Six points of the Star represent ...

. 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-nickel Cupronickel or copper-nickel (CuNi) is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. The copper content typically varies from 60 to 90 percent. ( Monel is a nickel-copper alloy that contains a ...

circular chamfered medal. The obverse has the Joint Service Emblem. * The reverse is inscribed "For Efficient Service in the Permanent Forces" in capital letters 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 Cypher flanked by sprigs of

wattle Wattle or wattles may refer to: Plants *''Acacia sensu lato'', polyphyletic genus of plants commonly known as wattle, especially in Australia and South Africa **''Acacia'', large genus of shrubs and trees, native to Australasia **Black wattle, c ...

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

Other Australian long service awards

Other Australian long service awards include: *

* National Medal * Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal ;Australian Defence Medal While not awarded for "long service" ''per se'', the

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. It was established on 20 March 2006; how ...

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).

References

External links

Defence Force Service Medal
itsanhonour.gov.au
DFSM Fact Sheet
itsanhonour.gov.au
Number awarded
itsanhonour.gov.au {{Australian Honours System Military awards and decorations of Australia 1982 establishments in Australia Awards established in 1982 Long and Meritorious Service Medals of Britain and the Commonwealth

Description

Other Australian long service awards

See also

References

External links