The Defence Long Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent and reserve members of the Australian Defence Force, irrespective of rank. It was introduced in 1998, and replaced the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which comprised the Defence Force Service Medal, the Reserve Force Medal and the Reserve Force Decoration.
Additional service clasps, each indicating a further 5 years after the initial 15 year qualifying service, are issued. The first four clasps to the medal are indicated by rosettes on the ribbon. These are replaced by a single silver Federation Star for the fifth clasp. Additional Federation Star emblems are added for subsequent clasps.
Other Australian Long Service Awards include:
- Defence Force Service Medal
- Reserve Force Medal
- Reserve Force Decoration
- National Medal (Australia)
- Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal
While the Australian Defence Medal 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.
*STUD PINS ONLY AVAILABLE ON FULL SIZE MEDALS*