It appears that behind the scenes and out of the media limelight, Julian Knight has been quietly awarded the Australian Service Medal.
This is a military honour for time served in the Australian military, the Australian Army to be specific in Julian’s case.
Julian served voluntarily in every capacity from the time he joined and served with the School Cadet Corps advancing to the rank of Corporal through to his service in the Army Reserve and then his elite selection and training as an Officer Cadet at the Royal Military College at Duntroon in Canberra.
The Australian Service Medal was approved in 1988 (by presumably the ADF), and “may be awarded for service in, or in connection with a prescribed non-warlike operation.” (So after signing up).
Here t’is…
“The medal design features in nickel-silver with a modified shield of the Australian Coat of Arms surmounted by the Defence Force Joint Service Emblem super-imposed on a background of the meridians of longitude on the obverse.” (i.e. the backside).
How lovely and all.
Even ‘AOTY-2016’ LTGEN David Morrison proudly embellishes an Australian Service Medal in correct order left close to heart, like if one had received the VC…?
The way lesser Australian Service Medal was approved by the ADF from 1988 as a military service award for “prescribed non-warlike operation“.
ADF:
“Eligibility for an Australian Service Medal depends on the specific medal, but common requirements include completing a minimum period of service, which can be 30 days for operational medals or 15 years for long service medals. Other eligibility criteria include fulfilling an obligation, being honourably discharged, or being force assigned for operational duties. A nickel-silver clasp with the name of the theatre or action for which the award is made is presented with the medal, Australian territory included (invading enemy not necessary). The reverse (“obverse”) has clusters of mimosa blossoms surrounding a Federation Star bearing the inscription for Service.” https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/australian-awards/australian-service-medal
Yet what does “prescribed non-warlike operation” really mean? It would seem to basically translate to one signing up for military duty and then turning up for at least 30 days according to the medal’s eligibility requirements, but no more.
This author (ex-Army) may well deserve one too, for what it’s worth.