Medalje vir Troue Diens

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Medalje vir Troue Diens
Medal for Loyal Service
Medalje vir Troue Diens.jpg
Awarded by the President
CountryFlag of South Africa (Pantone).svg  South Africa
Type Military long service medal
Eligibility All ranks
Awarded for Ten years of loyal service
Status Current
Statistics
Established 27 April 2003
Order of wear
Next (higher) Flag of the African National Congress.svg Service Medal in Bronze
Next (lower) Flag of the United Kingdom (2-3).svg Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif
Ribbon bar

The Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It can be awarded to all ranks whose character and conduct have been irreproachable and who have completed ten years of qualifying service. [1] [2]

South Africa Republic in the southernmost part of Africa

South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline of Southern Africa stretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini (Swaziland); and it surrounds the enclaved country of Lesotho. South Africa is the largest country in Southern Africa and the 25th-largest country in the world by land area and, with over 57 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation. It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World or the Eastern Hemisphere. About 80 percent of South Africans are of Sub-Saharan African ancestry, divided among a variety of ethnic groups speaking different African languages, nine of which have official status. The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European (White), Asian (Indian), and multiracial (Coloured) ancestry.

Contents

The South African military

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). [2] [3] [4]

Institution

The Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service was instituted by the President on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. The bilingual title of the medal is in Afrikaans and English. [1] [5]

Afrikaans West Germanic language, spoken in South Africa and Namibia

Afrikaans is a West Germanic language spoken in South Africa, Namibia and, to a lesser extent, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It evolved from the Dutch vernacular of South Holland spoken by the mainly Dutch settlers of what is now South Africa, where it gradually began to develop distinguishing characteristics in the course of the 18th century. Hence, it is a daughter language of Dutch, and was previously referred to as "Cape Dutch" or "kitchen Dutch". However, it is also variously described as a creole or as a partially creolised language. The term is ultimately derived from Dutch Afrikaans-Hollands meaning "African Dutch".

Award criteria

The medal can be awarded to all ranks of the South African National Defence Force and of any Auxiliary Service of the South African National Defence Force, whose character and conduct have been irreproachable and who, on or after 27 April 2003, have completed ten years of qualifying service, not necessarily continuous. The medal and the Bars to the medal may be awarded posthumously. Qualifying service include service in the former constituent permanent or part-time forces of the SANDF as well as other former uniformed establishments, such as the Police forces and Prisons services of South Africa, the Republics of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei and the Self-Governing Territories. [1]

Transkei former bantustan in South Africa

Transkei, officially the Republic of Transkei, was an unrecognised state in the southeastern region of South Africa from 1976 to 1994. It was a Bantustan—an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity—and operated as a nominally independent parliamentary democracy. Its capital was Umtata.

Bophuthatswana former bantustan in South Africa

Bophuthatswana, officially the Republic of Bophuthatswana, was a Bantustan which was declared nominally independent by the apartheid regime of South Africa in 1977. However, its independence, like the other Bantustans was not recognized by any country other than South Africa.

Venda former bantustan in South Africa

Venda was a Bantustan in northern South Africa, which is fairly close to the South African border with Zimbabwe to the north, while to the south and east, it shared a long border with another black homeland, Gazankulu. It is now part of the Limpopo province. Venda was founded as a homeland by the South African government for the Venda people, speakers of the Venda language. The United Nations and international community refused to recognise Venda as an independent state.

Upon completion of further periods of ten years of qualifying service, the Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service and the appropriate bar may be awarded in addition to previous medals for long service which had been awarded for service in these former forces. [1]

Guidelines, consisting of appropriate words or phrases which may be useful when writing a citation for the award of the Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service, have been published by the South African Defence Department. [6]

Orders of wear

Only one medal is conferred and, for each additional period of ten years of qualifying service to a maximum of another forty years, altogether four bars may be awarded to denote subsequent conferments of the medal. The position of the Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service in the official military and national orders of precedence depends on which bars for further periods of service beyond ten years, if any, had been awarded to the recipient. [1]

Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service

In respect of the Medalje vir Troue Diens without a bar, for ten years service, the official order of precedence is as follows: [7]

Ribbon - Service Medal in Bronze.png Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif Ribbon - Queen's Medal for Champion Shots.png

Official military order of precedence
Official national order of precedence

Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 20 years

Medalje vir Troue Diens & 20y Bar.jpg

In respect of the Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar for twenty years service, the official order of precedence is as follows: [7]

Ribbon - Silver Service Medal.png Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif UMlint.gif

Official military order of precedence
Official national order of precedence

Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 30 years

Medalje vir Troue Diens 30.jpg

In respect of the Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar for thirty years service, the official order of precedence is as follows: [7]

Ribbon - Service Medal in Gold.png Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif Ribbon - John Chard Decoration.png

Official military order of precedence
Official national order of precedence

Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 40 years

Medalje vir Troue Diens 40.jpg

In respect of the Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar for forty years service, the official order of precedence is as follows: [7]

Ribbon - Medal for Distinguished Conduct & Loyal Service 3.gif Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif MTDGlint.gif

Official military order of precedence
Official national order of precedence

Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar, 50 years

Medalje vir Troue Diens 50.jpg

In respect of the Medalje vir Troue Diens and Bar for fifty years service, the official order of precedence is as follows: [7]

Ribbon - Closure Commemoration Medal.png Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif Ribbon - Medal for Distinguished Conduct & Loyal Service 3.gif

Official military order of precedence
Official national order of precedence

Emblem for Reserve Force Service

Emblem for Reserve Force Service.jpg

The Emblem for Reserve Force Service, post-nominal letters RD, was instituted on 27 April 2003 and may be awarded to members in the part-time Reserves of the South African National Defence Force who have performed twenty years of loyal service, of which not less than five years were served in the Reserve Force, service in the former Citizen Force or Commandos included. The emblem is worn on the centre of the ribbon of the Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service, above any bars awarded for periods of extended service, and may be continued to be worn even if the recipient is later appointed in the Regular Force. [2] [8]

The conferring of the Emblem for Reserve Force Service entitles recipients to the use of the post-nominal letters RD, denoting "Reserve Distinction". [2] [8]

Description

Obverse

The Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service was struck in nickel-silver, circular in shape with a diameter of 38 millimetres and a raised edge, with the edge evenly scalloped. The obverse of the medal bears the Coat of Arms of the Republic of South Africa in relief. [1] [2]

Reverse

The reverse bears the emblem of the South African National Defence Force at the top and is inscribed, in relief, with the words "VIR TROUE DIENS" around the lower perimeter, with the medal number impressed between the emblem and the inscription. The medal is attached to a plain nickel-silver suspender affixed to the upper rim of the medal. [1] [9]

Ribbon

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and national flag green, with a 3 millimetres wide national flag red band and a 3 millimetres wide white band on the left edge, and a 3 millimetres wide white band and a 3 millimetres wide national flag blue band on the right edge. [1]

Bars

The bars are 33 millimetres wide and 5 millimetres high, with the Arabic numerals "20", "30", "40" or "50" respectively in relief in the centre. When only a ribbon bar is worn, silhouette button replicas of the medal, 8 millimetres in diameter and with the Arabic numerals "20", "30", "40" or "50" respectively in relief, is affixed to the ribbon bar to denote each bar awarded, evenly spaced on the breadth of the ribbon. The bars and ribbon buttons are struck in the following metals:

Emblem for Reserve Force Service

The Emblem for Reserve Force Service consists of the uppercase letters "RD", 8 millimetres high and struck in silver. [2] [8]

Related Research Articles

An overview of South African military decorations and medals, which form part of the South African honours system.

John Chard Decoration

The John Chard Decoration, post-nominal letters JCD, was a military long service decoration which was instituted by the Union of South Africa on 6 April 1952. It was awarded to members of the Citizen Force of the South African Defence Force for twenty years of efficient service and good conduct. Clasps could be awarded after thirty and forty years service respectively.

John Chard Medal

The John Chard Medal is a military long service medal which was instituted by the Union of South Africa on 6 April 1952. Until 1986, it was awarded to members of the Citizen Force of the South African Defence Force for twelve years of efficient service and good conduct. The period of qualifying service was reduced to ten years in 1986.

Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service

The Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service is a South African military medal which was instituted by the Republic in 1987. It was awarded to members of the South African Defence Force for forty years of loyal service and distinguished conduct.

Good Service Medal, Bronze

The Good Service Medal, Bronze, originally named the South African Defence Force Good Service Medal, Bronze, is the junior of a set of three South African military medals which was instituted by the Republic on 1 July 1975. It was awarded to members of all elements of the South African Defence Force for ten years of exemplary service, but was restricted to Permanent Force personnel from 1993.

Good Service Medal, Gold

The Good Service Medal, Gold, originally named the South African Defence Force Good Service Medal, Gold, is the senior of a set of three military medals which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was initially awarded to members of all elements of the South African Defence Force for thirty years of exemplary service, but was restricted to Permanent Force personnel from 1993.

Union Medal

The Union Medal was instituted by the Union of South Africa in 1952. It was awarded to Permanent Force members of the South African Defence Force for eighteen years of service and good conduct.

Unitas Medal

The Unitas Medal was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 4 November 1994. It was awarded to all ranks who were on the active strength of all seven constituent military forces from 27 April 1994 to 10 May 1994, to commemorate their amalgamation into the South African National Defence Force. It was also awarded to personnel of the British Military Advisory and Training Team which served in South Africa at the time.

General Service Medal (Bophuthatswana)

The General Service Medal was instituted by the State President of the Republic of Bophuthatswana in 1991, for award to all ranks for operational service inside Bophuthatswana.

Long Service Medal, Silver

The Long Service Medal, Silver was instituted by the President of the Republic of Venda in 1985, for award to all ranks for twenty years exemplary service.

Closure Commemoration Medal

The Closure Commemoration Medal is a military commemoration medal which was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in 2010, to commemorate the disbandment of the Commandos, the rural defence component of the South African National Defence Force.

Star for Bravery in Silver

The Star for Bravery in Silver, post-nominal letters SBS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by performing acts of bravery.

Merit Medal in Bronze

The Merit Medal in Bronze, post-nominal letters MMB, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, who had distinguished themselves during the "struggle" by service of a high order.

Operational Medal for Southern Africa

The Operational Medal for Southern Africa was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in 1998. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe and the Azanian People's Liberation Army for operational service outside South Africa during the "struggle".

Service Medal in Gold

The Service Medal in Gold was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, for thirty years exemplary service.

Service Medal in Bronze

The Service Medal in Bronze was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, for ten years service.

Silver Medal for Merit

The Silver Medal for Merit, post-nominal letters SMM, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty during the "struggle".

Bronze Medal for Merit

The Bronze Medal for Merit, post-nominal letters BMM, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for service of a high order during the "struggle".

Silver Service Medal

The Silver Service Medal was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It could be awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for twenty years exemplary service.

Bronze Service Medal

The Bronze Service Medal was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996. It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for ten years exemplary service.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Warrant by the President of the Republic of South Africa for the Institution of the "Medalje vir Troue Diens - Medal for Loyal Service" for the South African National Defence Force, Gazette no. 25213 dated 25 July 2003.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 South African Medal Website - South African National Defence Force (Accessed 1 May 2015)
  3. ↑ South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  4. ↑ South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
  5. ↑ Medalje vir Troue Diens (Good Service Medal)
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC   72827981
  7. 1 2 3 South African Soldier Vol. 10 no. 7, July 2003
  8. ↑ Miniature SANDF Troue Diens Medal with 20 Years Clasp as per photo Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine .
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