| Defence Long Service Medal | |
|---|---|
  Obverse of medal (with bar) and ribbon | |
| Type | Long Service Medal |
| Awarded for | a minimum of 15 years "qualifying service", including an assessment of good conduct[ citation needed ] |
| Presented by | Australia |
| Eligibility | Members of the Australian Defence Force, including reserves |
| Clasps | for each additional 5 years of service |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 1998 |
| Total | 33,000 [1] |
| – 15 years Contents – 45 yearsRibbon with Rosette(s) (top four), Ribbon with Federation Star (bottom) | |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Reserve Force Medal [2] |
| Next (lower) | National Medal [2] |
| Related | Defence Force Service Medal Reserve Force Decoration (RFD) |
The Defence Long Service Medal is an Australian military award given for long service by permanent and reserve members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), irrespective of rank. It was introduced in 1998, and replaced the suite of ADF service awards introduced in 1982, which comprised the Defence Force Service Medal, the Reserve Force Medal and the Reserve Force Decoration. [3]
It is awarded to personnel who complete 15 years of Regular or Reserve service, or combinations thereof, on or after 14 February 1975. 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. [3]
