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
Defence Force Service Medal
__NOTOC__
The Defence Force Service Medal (DFSM) is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also ...
(DFSM, for all members of the permanent forces) and the
Reserve Force Medal (RFM, for non-commissioned members of the Reserve forces). However, the RFD is the only one of the three to carry a postnominal entitlement.
All three medals were replaced with effect 20 April 1999 with a single medal, the
Defence Long Service Medal, which is now awarded to all permanent and reserve members irrespective of rank.
Additional service clasps, each indicating a further 5 years after the initial 15 year qualifying service, can still be issued to persons awarded the RFD, RFM or DFSM. The first four clasps to the medal are indicated by rosettes. These are replaced by a single silver
Federation Star for the fifth clasp. Additional Federation Star emblems are added for subsequent clasps.
Description
* The RFD is an oval
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 minimu ...
medal surrounded by a
gilt wreath of
wattle, ensigned with the
Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse has the
Joint Service Emblem on a rayed background.
* The reverse is inscribed "For Efficient Service in the Reserve Forces" in capital letters.
* The 32mm-wide ribbon has three equal stripes of azure-blue and gold. The colours were the
national colours of Australia
The national colours of Australia are green and gold. They were established by the Governor-General of Australia, Sir Ninian Stephen, on 19 April 1984 in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette; on advice from Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
The gold ...
at the time of introduction.
* The RFD clasp is a
gilt bar with the
Royal Cypher flanked by sprigs of wattle in the centre. When the ribbon is worn alone a clasp is indicated by the addition of a cupro-nickel oval rosette or a silver miniature Federation Star.
Related medals
Other Australian long service awards include:
*
Defence Force Service Medal
__NOTOC__
The Defence Force Service Medal (DFSM) is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also ...
*
Reserve Force Medal
*
Defence Long Service Medal (currently awarded)
*
National Medal
*
Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal is awarded to recognise long and efficient service by officers and instructors in the Australian Defence Force Cadets. It is awarded for 15 years service. Additional clasps are issued for every 5 years ad ...
While 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), and is not awarded for "long service" per se.
See also
*
Australian Honours System
The Australian honours and awards system refers to all orders, decorations, and medals, as instituted by letters patent from the Monarch of Australia and countersigned by the Australian prime minister at the time, that have been progressively ...
*
Australian Honours Order of Precedence
The Governor-General of Australia has, at irregular intervals, notified for general information the positioning of the wearing of Australian Orders, Decorations and Medals in the ''Commonwealth of Australia Gazette''. The ''Order of Wearing Aust ...
References
External links
It's an Honour– Australian Government website
ADF Honours and Awards– military site
{{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