Australian Operational Service Medal : Since-1975 : Department of Defence

Australian Operational Service Medal

The Australian Operational Service Medal (AOSM) was instituted on 22 May 12. The medal was established to provide recognition to Defence personnel involved in declared operations or other service that the Chief of the Defence Force deems to be worthy of recognition.

The AOSM succeeds the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) and the Australian Service Medal (ASM). Operations recognised by these medals will continue to be recognised by the AASM or the ASM, for example Operation SLIPPER.

Australian Defence Force

For ADF members, the AOSM will be awarded as the standard medal with a unique ribbon for each operation. Provision also exists for the award of an accumulated service device to denote those who undertake multiple tours on a particular operation.

Go to AOSM Border Protection page

Go to AOSM Greater Middle East Operation page

Civilians

For Defence civilians and other classes of civilian who are employed on ADF operations under the provisions of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982, the AOSM is in the form of the standard medal with a unique civilian service ribbon. Each operation will be denoted by a clasp to the medal. Accumulated service devices are not issued with the civilian variant of the AOSM.

Go to AOSM Civilian page