Reserve Force Decoration
Encyclopedia
The Reserve Force Decoration (postnominal RFD) 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
(DFSM, for all members of the permanent forces) and the Reserve Force Medal
(RFM, for non-commissioned members of the Reserve forces). However, the RFD is the only one of the three to carry a postnominal entitlement.
All three medals were replaced in 2002 with a single medal, the Defence Long Service Medal
, which is now awarded to all permanent and reserve members irrespective of rank.
Additional service clasps, each indicating a further 5 years after the initial 15 year qualifying service, can still be issued to persons awarded the RFD, RFM or DFSM. The first four clasps to the medal are indicated by rosettes. These are replaced by a single silver Federation Star
for the fifth clasp. Additional Federation Star emblems are added for subsequent clasps.
Other Australian Long Service Awards include:
While the Australian Defence Medal
is sometimes classified as a "long service medal", it is intended to recognise all those who completed an obligation to serve their country (whether voluntarily or conscripted), and is not awarded for "long service" per se.
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
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
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...
(DFSM, for all members of the permanent forces) and the 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...
(RFM, for non-commissioned members of the Reserve forces). However, the RFD is the only one of the three to carry a postnominal entitlement.
All three medals were replaced in 2002 with a single medal, the 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...
, which is now awarded to all permanent and reserve members irrespective of rank.
Additional service clasps, each indicating a further 5 years after the initial 15 year qualifying service, can still be issued to persons awarded the RFD, RFM or DFSM. The first four clasps to the medal are indicated by rosettes. These are replaced by a single silver 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....
for the fifth clasp. Additional Federation Star emblems are added for subsequent clasps.
Other Australian Long Service Awards include:
- Defence Force Service MedalDefence Force Service MedalThe Defence Force Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force...
- Reserve Force MedalReserve Force MedalThe 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 Long Service MedalDefence Long Service MedalThe 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...
(currently awarded) - National MedalNational 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...
- Australian Cadet Forces Service MedalAustralian Cadet Forces Service MedalThe 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...
While the Australian Defence Medal
Australian Defence Medal
The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service...
is sometimes classified as a "long service medal", it is intended to recognise all those who completed an obligation to serve their country (whether voluntarily or conscripted), and is not awarded for "long service" per se.
Description
- The RFD is an oval cupro-nickelCupronickelCupronickel 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...
medal surrounded by a giltGildingThe term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
wreath of wattleGolden WattleAcacia 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:...
, ensigned with the Crown of Saint EdwardSt. Edward's CrownSt 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 obverse has the Joint Service EmblemAustralian Defence Force EnsignThe Australian Defence Force Ensign is a flag of Australia which represents the tri-service Australian Defence Force. The flag was declared a "Flag of Australia" under Section 5 of the Flags Act 1953 on 14 April 2000....
on a rayed background. - The reverse is inscribed 'FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE RESERVE FORCES'.
- The 32mm-wide ribbon has three equal stripes of azure-blue and gold. The colours were the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction.
- The RFD clasp is a giltGildingThe term gilding covers a number of decorative techniques for applying fine gold leaf or powder to solid surfaces such as wood, stone, or metal to give a thin coating of gold. A gilded object is described as "gilt"...
bar with the Royal CypherRoyal CypherIn 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 in the centre. When the ribbon is worn alone a clasp is indicated by the addition of a cupro-nickel oval rosette or a silver miniature Federation Star.
See also
- Australian Honours SystemAustralian Honours System-History:The Commonwealth of Australia, until 1975, used the Imperial or British honours system. Only a handful of peerages were created for Australians, some in recognition of public services rendered in Britain rather than Australia. Some hereditary peers and baronets whose titles derive from...
- Australian Honours Order of PrecedenceAustralian Honours Order of Precedence- Order of wear :Order of precedence for the wearing of decorations and awards within the Australian Honours System.Articles marked with * are awards of the British Empire/United Kingdom and are now considered foreign....