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| Army to pay medal costs By Cpl Mike McSweeney Volume 11, No. 60, February 22, 2007 |
| ARMY will now pay for court mounting of medals following a review of the policy by CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy. SO2 Clothing Maj Russell Pryor said Lt-Gen Leahy considered the argument raised by soldiers that Air Force paid for medal mounting whereas Army did not. “This is a direct example of CA listening to soldiers’ feedback from many sources,” Maj Pryor said. “He looked at this, asked Director Logistics to look into the feasibility and it was determined to be affordable for Defence to pick up the cost.” From February 1, soldiers can take their original medals to their area clothing store for court mounting at public expense. Eligibility, including retrospectivity, only applies to serving ARA or Active Reserve personnel. Maj Pryor said soldiers who “subsequently got another type of medal, clasp, rosette or numeral, can take it to the clothing store, along with their mounted medals, and it will be inserted in sequence”. He said members would still need to source their foreign medals and ribbons, but they too would be court mounted by Army. “They still have to demonstrate through PMKeys that Directorate Honours and Awards had recognised these awards and they’re authorised to wear them.” Maj Pryor recognised some soldiers wanted to keep their original medals in pristine condition and said the change in policy did not mean originals would have to be worn on parade. “No entitlement exists for replicas to be mounted, however, they can be mounted at the member’s expense by the contractor.” He said the mounting of miniatures was restricted to the rank of sergeant and above. The new policy would be phased in over 18 months. “After this 18-month moratorium, ASOD will be amended to reflect that only court-mounted medals will be accepted on a ceremonial activity requiring medals to be worn,” he said. Inquiries to Maj Pryor at russell.pryor@defence.gov.au |