ADM

The Australian Defence Medal (ADM) is a military decoration awarded to recognize current and former Australian Defence Force personnel. To be eligible for the Australian Defence Medal, ADF personnel must have:

• Enlisted for an indefinite period and rendered four years qualifying service; or
• Enlisted for a fixed period and completed the specified period of enlistment, or a period of four years whichever is lesser.

This medal was not awarded with any clasps or attachments.

Design

The medal is cupronickel. The obverse has a stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms as used on the Australia Service Medal 1939-45. This is surrounded by the inscription ‘THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL’ above a sprig of wattle.

The reverse has the inscription ‘FOR SERVICE’ below the Crown of St Edward surrounded by two sprays of wattle leaves and blossom.

Ribbon

The ribbon is red with black edges, the colours of the Flanders poppy that represent the Anzac spirit of the Australian armed forces. The white stripes divide the ribbon into three, to denote the three Services and represent service contributing to the peace of Australia.