Volume
48, No. 6, April 20, 2006
MANY
current serving members of the permanent Air Force will have an
automatic entitlement to the new Australian Defence Medal (ADM).
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Bruce Billson announced
on March 30 that the Queen had approved official regulations and
design for the award.
The regulations extend recognition to many who until now, might
not have been entitled to an award for their service.
The new medal recognises current and former ADF regular and Reserve
personnel, volunteer or national servicemen who have demonstrated
their commitment and contribution to the nation by serving an
initial enlistment period or four years service, whichever is
the lesser.
Director of Honours and Awards Irene Wilson said the ADM would
be awarded for continuous regular and Reserve service, or a mix
of the two types of service and would be backdated to September
3, 1945.
“Backdating the award to the end of World War II means also
that relatives of ADF members who have since died will be able
to make posthumous claims for the award,” Ms Wilson said.
Reservists need to apply using the application for former ADF
members, providing any documentation that supports their application
including a letter from their CO certifying that they have completed
four years efficient service, certificates of service or discharge
certificates.
Most current full-time serving members will be assessed automatically
in line with the new process for assessing long service awards
through PMKeyS.
Full details and the forms are available from http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpe_site/honours_awards/
or by calling toll-free on 1800 111 321.
