Australia

Reserve Forces Decoration

The Reserve Force Decoration (RFD) is an oval cupro-nickel medal surrounded by a gilt wreath of wattle. The obverse has the Joint Service Emblem on a rayed background. The reverse is inscribed 'FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE IN THE RESERVE FORCES'.

The Ribbon

The RFD ribbon has three equal stripes of azure-blue and gold. The colours were the national colours of Australia at the time of introduction.

Clasps

The RFD clasp is a gilt bar with the Royal Cypher 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.

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.

Eligibility

The RFD may be awarded to an Officer who has, on or after 14 February 1975 completed 15 years efficient service prior to 20 April 1999. Clasps are awarded for each further periods of 5 years efficient reserve service. Regular service does not qualify towards clasps for this medal.  From 20 April 1999 the RFD was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM).

A minimum of 12 years in the Reserve as an Officer and up to 3 years in the Regular Forces as an Officer can be counted towards the medal.

Note: Qualifying service for clasps can be accrued after 19 April 1999.

Post-nominal

Recipients of the RFD are entitled to use the post-nominal 'RFD'.