New Zealand Defence Service Medal
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) is a military service medal
awarded to former and current members of the New Zealand Defence Force
, who have served since 3 September 1945. It is expected that at least 160,000 former service personnel and more than 7,000 currently serving NZDF personnel are eligible to receive the medal.
of the medal contains the New Zealand Coat of Arms. The reverse depicts one large New Zealand fern frond and the emblems of the Navy, Army and Air Force represented by the badge of the New Zealand Defence Force. The lower portion of the reverse contains the inscription "THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE SERVICE MEDAL".
The medal is suspended from a ribbon of dark blue, red, light blue. These colours are separated by thin light green stripes. The medal is awarded with at least one clasp.
from 1949—1958.
Service medal
A service medal is a military award generally of the lowest degree. A service medal is awarded to a member of the military who joins the military, or is already serving, during a designated time period...
awarded to former and current members of the New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
, who have served since 3 September 1945. It is expected that at least 160,000 former service personnel and more than 7,000 currently serving NZDF personnel are eligible to receive the medal.
Appearance
The NZDSM is circular medal made of antiqued bronze. The obverseObverse and reverse
Obverse and its opposite, reverse, refer to the two flat faces of coins and some other two-sided objects, including paper money, flags , seals, medals, drawings, old master prints and other works of art, and printed fabrics. In this usage, obverse means the front face of the object and reverse...
of the medal contains the New Zealand Coat of Arms. The reverse depicts one large New Zealand fern frond and the emblems of the Navy, Army and Air Force represented by the badge of the New Zealand Defence Force. The lower portion of the reverse contains the inscription "THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE SERVICE MEDAL".
The medal is suspended from a ribbon of dark blue, red, light blue. These colours are separated by thin light green stripes. The medal is awarded with at least one clasp.
C.M.T.
For Compulsory Military TrainingCompulsory Military Training in New Zealand
Compulsory military training , a form of conscription, has been used in New Zealand during a number of historical periods.-Origins and world wars:CMT was first introduced in New Zealand with the Defence Act of 1909...
from 1949—1958.