The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal is awarded to recognise long and efficient service by officers and instructors in the Australian Cadet Forces. It is awarded for 15 years service. Additional clasps are issued for every 5 years additional service.

The medal is the successor to the British Cadet Forces Medal which ceased to be issued to Australians in 1974.

Recipients of the Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal do not earn an entitlement to use post-nominal letters.

Description

• The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal features the old Cadet Forces emblem, which is encircled by the words 'Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal'. The medal is cupro-nickel
  Cupronickel
  Cupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
  
   and is ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward
  St. Edward's Crown
  St Edward's Crown was one of the English Crown Jewels and remains one of the senior British Crown Jewels, being the official coronation crown used in the coronation of first English, then British, and finally Commonwealth realms monarchs...
  
  .
• The reverse shows a Federation Star
  Commonwealth Star
  The Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....
  
   with a central blank panel.
• The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon features vertical stripes of the traditional long service medal colours, gold and azure-blue. This central panel is flanked by stripes of blue, red and navy, which represent links with the Royal Australian Air Force
  Royal Australian Air Force
  The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
  
  , the Australian Army
  Australian Army
  The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
  
   and the Royal Australian Navy
  Royal Australian Navy
  The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
  
  .
• The clasp is a cupro-nickel bar with the Royal Cypher
  Royal Cypher
  In modern heraldry, a royal cypher is a monogram-like device of a country's reigning sovereign, typically consisting of the initials of the monarch's name and title, sometimes interwoven and often surmounted by a crown. In the case where such a cypher is used by an emperor or empress, it is called...
  
   flanked by sprigs of wattle
  Golden Wattle
  Acacia pycnantha is Australia's floral emblem. It is a tree which flowers in late winter and spring, producing a mass of fragrant, fluffy, golden flowers.-Description:...
  
   in the centre. When the ribbon is worn alone, the award of a clasp is indicated by the addition of a cupro-nickel round rosette or a silver miniature Federation Star.

Eligibility

The Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal is awarded to Officers and Instructors of the Australian Navy Cadets

Australian Navy Cadets

The Australian Navy Cadets is a voluntary youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy. Together with the Australian Air Force Cadets and Australian Army Cadets, it forms the Australian Defence Force Cadets. It hosts over 91 units.-History:...

, Australian Army Cadets

Australian Army Cadets

The Australian Army Cadets is a youth organisation that is involved with progressive training of youths in military and adventurous activities. The programme has more than 19,000 Army Cadets between the ages of 12½ and 19 based in 236 units around Australia...

 and the Australian Air Force Cadets

Australian Air Force Cadets

The Australian Air Force Cadets , known as the Air Training Corps until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force...

. Time spent on the Un-attached list does not count towards the ACFSM.

Other Australian Long Service Awards

Other Australian Long Service Awards include:

• Reserve Force Decoration
  Reserve Force Decoration
  The Reserve Force Decoration is an Australian Military award given for long service by officers of the Reserve Forces. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Defence Force Service Medal and the Reserve Force Medal The Reserve Force...
  
  
• Reserve Force Medal
  Reserve Force Medal
  The Reserve Force Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by non-commissioned members of the Reserve Forces. It is part of the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which also included the Defence Force Service Medal and the Reserve Force Decoration...
  
  
• Defence Force Service Medal
  Defence Force Service Medal
  The Defence Force Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force...
  
  
• Defence Long Service Medal
  Defence Long Service Medal
  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...
  
  
• National Medal
  National Medal (Australia)
  The National Medal is an Australian award given for long service by operational members of specified eligible organisations. It was introduced in 1975, as an original component of the new Australian honours system, and replaced a range of medals available to military and civilian uniformed...