Australian Defence Medal ADM

The Australian Defence Medal: Sometimes called the ‘4 Year Medal,’ the ADM was struck in 2006 to recognise service with the defence forces of Australia, the eligibility criteria includes former ADF members who completed their initial enlistment period, or four years service, whichever is the lesser. The criteria also recognises National Servicemen and those who could not serve the four-year qualifying period because of the ADF’s workplace and enlistment policies of the time. The expanded criteria also includes those who die/died in service or are medically discharged due to permanent injury and unable to reach four years or complete their initial period of enlistment.

The medal has been established to recognise serving and former Australian Regular and Reserve personnel who have demonstrated their commitment and contribution to the four years, or, completion of their initial term of engagement, whichever is the lesser. In addition, eligibility for the ADM will be extended to ex-service personnel who:

• have died in service;
• have been medically discharged with a compensatory impairment at the time of their discharge,
• unable to serve the required minimum qualifying period; or
• have honourably served but, due to some Defence workplace enlistment policies of the time as determined by the Chief of the Defence Force), were unable to serve the required minimum qualifying period.

Please note: Be aware that for a WW2 veteran to be awarded an ADM, he or she would have needed to have been discharged and re-enlisted, or transferred to a ready reserve as a new enlistment, after 03 September 1945 to qualify. The ADM is for post-WW2 service.