Reserve Forces Medal: Established on 19 April 1982, the Reserve Forces Medal is awarded to other ranks of the Australian Reserve Forces who have completed fifteen years efficient service. Further periods of five years service result in the award of a clasp, and a rosette for the riband bar. These awards have been superceded for persons who had not qualified for them before 20 April 1994, by the Defence Force Long Service Medal, available on this site. Central to the design of the obverse of the medal is the Defence Force Joint (tri) Service Emblem, which comprises an anchor to signify the navy, swords to signify the army, and an eagle to signify the airforce. The boomerang symbolising Australia lies at the base of the Joint Services emblem supporting and unifying the three services emblems. The medal is suspended with the Crown of St Edward (often called the Queens’ crown). The Reserve Force Medal may be awarded to a member who has, on or after 14 February 1975 and before 20 April 1999, completed 15 years efficient remunerated service in the Reserve Forces. A minimum of 12 years in the Reserve and up to 3 years in the Regular Forces (to total 15 years) can be counted towards the medal only.
Clasps are awarded for each additional period of five years efficient non-commissioned Reserve service after qualifying for the medal. Regular service or service as an officer does not qualify towards clasps for this award.
From 20 April 1999 the Reserve Force Medal was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal. However, clasps can still be issued in accordance with the eligibility criteria.
The medal is an oval bright nickel medal. The obverse has the Joint Service Emblem on a rayed background. The reverse is inscribed ‘FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE RESERVE FORCES.’
The ribbon is azure blue with gold edges. The colours were the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction.
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