18 October 201 (up-date)

Ex-Service personnel aged 50 and over can now apply for the New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM)

Until recently the New Zealand Defence Force’s Medals Office was accepting applications for the NZDSM from ex-Service personnel aged 60 or over. Since April, when the first applications were called for, over 17,700 applications have been received by the Medals Office and over 13,000 medals have been issued.

Due to the large number of people eligible for the NZDSM, the call for applications is being managed in four stages, with priority given to processing applications from older living ex-Service personnel first.

The new medal means that a large number of personnel who served New Zealand loyally and well in a wide range of roles and contexts, but not on operations, are now receiving medallic recognition for their work.

“The medal recognises attested military service in the Defence Force by New Zealanders. Those who have served in the military for three years or more since the end of World War Two, and those who completed their compulsory military training or national military service obligations, qualify,” Assistant Chief of Personnel Commodore Kevin Keat said.

“Personnel with three years accumulated service, for example, between Regular, K Force, J Force and Territorial service (including RNZNR and RNZNVR) are also eligible for the medal.”

Ex-Service personnel are encouraged to apply for the medal using the online form on the NZDF Medals webs

 

 

17th August 2011

The New Zealand Defence Service Medal was instituted in April 2011 to recognise attested military service since 3 September 1945. The Royal Warrant for the NZDSM allows for one or more clasps to be awarded with the medal.

The number of clasps awarded to an individual will be determined by the type(s) of military service undertaken by the individual. There are four clasps which can be awarded with the NZDSM: REGULAR, TERRITORIAL, C.M.T. and NATIONAL SERVICE.

The award of the NZDSM does not qualify a recipient for the award of the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.

Update - 17 August 2011: The NZDF is now accepting applications for the New Zealand Defence Service Medal from ex-Service persons age 60 or over. Applications from those in other age groups and from the next-of-kin of deceased ex-Servce persons will be called for progressively over the next year or so.

For further information please read the NZDSM FAQ sheet at    ----------

http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdsm/faqs.html which is being updated regularly in line with questions received through the medals site.

Once the application process opens the Medals Office aim to deliver medals to those entitled to receive them as quickly as possible and will be providing frequent updates about the NZDSM Project on the NZDF Medals website