The Defence Strategic Review 2023 (DSR23) contained six ‘immediate actions to reprioritise Defence’s capabilities in line with the Review’s recommendations’, one of which was ‘investing in the growth and retention of a highly-skilled Defence workforce’. Government agreed with all of DSR23’s workforce-related recommendations. In response, Defence promptly announced retention bonuses and a review of Defence housing arrangements. The more recent 2024 National Defence Strategy stated that the Defence workforce is currently around 4,400 personnel under strength. It acknowledged the need to streamline recruiting and for a range of ‘financial and non-financial incentives’ for both recruiting and retention; however, the only retention incentive it explicitly mentioned was the continuation of targeted retention bonuses.
Monetary incentives such as retention bonuses are likely to appeal to some serving members, yet they are only one part of what needs to be a much broader effort. A 2005 survey of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members found that ‘the top 10 [reasons for leaving the ADF] are dominated by arguably more intangible factors and do not include pay related issues. … This implies that the ADF could significantly improve personnel retention by widening its strategies to include intrinsic issues rather than confining them to extrinsic issues like remuneration’.
Although this survey is two decades old, recent publications by serving ADF members have also focused on the importance of non-monetary factors, indicating that these remain a significant factor in retention of ADF members. For example, a recent Cove article by Captain Jake Finnane proposed that better measures to identify and address leadership issues, as well as reduced administrative overheads and bureaucratic inertia, would help to retain junior personnel. While potential reforms in these areas are worth further examining – this author agrees that there is an urgent need to reduce administrative and bureaucratic overheads in particular – this article seeks to explore a different piece of the puzzle, potentially one that can be addressed much more quickly and without the need to conduct a comprehensive reform of existing processes.
This area is the extent of medallic recognition for service. Historically, the ADF’s approach to medallic recognition has been highly conservative. This is evidenced by a range of historical controversies relating to perceived lack of medallic recognition. Examples include the lack of Victoria Crosses awarded to Australians during the Korean War, even though contemporary and historical accounts indicate that a few personnel likely deserved the award for their actions in Korea; the downgrading of gallantry and distinguished service medals awarded during the Vietnam War and following the Battle of Long Tan in particular; the need for an inquiry into why Australian naval gallantry and valour had been under-acknowledged for several decades; and a lack of award of a campaign medal for warlike service in Somalia in 1992. While it is beyond this article’s scope to suggest the reasons behind this apparent cultural trend, it has been speculated elsewhere that it may be related to Australian society’s egalitarian cultural tendency to ‘cut down tall poppies’.
An alternative system that the ADF might move towards is the US Armed Forces’ system. In addition to awarding a wider range of medals for service, the US also awards commendation medals much more readily. For example, the lowest level commendation medal in the Australian system, the Commendation for Distinguished Service, is ‘awarded by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence’. In contrast, the lowest level of commendation medal in the US Armed Forces is the Achievement Medal, which can be awarded to subordinates by an officer at the O5 (Lieutenant Colonel or equivalent) rank level. This means that unit commanding officers have the authority to award this medal. While the ADF has a non-medallic Commendation system to recognise performance that does not qualify for medallic recognition, the lowest rank level that can award commendations is a one-star (Brigadier or equivalent) officer, which is still much more senior than an O5. This results in a greater level of award-related bureaucracy, leading to a lower rate of recognition within the ADF’s non-medallic recognition system as well as within the medallic one. Although Australian commanding officers can bestow local recognition, such as certificates of recognition and annual awards for the best performing personnel in their units, these awards are not entered into PMKeyS service records and cannot be worn on the recipient’s uniform. They therefore tend to be perceived as less prestigious than both ADF Commendations and medallic recognition.
In addition to enhancing the perceived prestigiousness of locally-awarded performance recognition, the ADF should take steps to extend the scope of medallic recognition for operational and other significant activities. Recently, the ADF withdrew from Afghanistan and has downscaled operations in the Middle East; however, its tempo does not seem to have slowed down. Instead, the weight of effort has shifted towards activities in the Indo-Pacific, with building partner capacity and other activities to uphold the global rules-based order now taking precedence. While the tempo has remained, this new focus has not been accompanied by any kind of medallic recognition, even in the case of several named operations.
Given the extent to which these operations and some other recent ADF activities have helped to uphold Australia’s national interests, this article contends that these activities ought to receive medallic recognition. Australia’s current campaign medal, the Operational Service Medal (OSM), is quite versatile in that different ribbons can be awarded for different types of service. Below it is proposed that five additional ribbons be established for the OSM, which together will enable contemporary medallic recognition to better align with contemporary ADF operations and activities. Furthermore, corresponding additional bars to the OSM Civilian Service ribbon should be established where applicable.
Five specific ribbon designs are proposed below. These designs are suggested only as a means to visually capture the reader’s attention. The specific details of the ribbon designs themselves are much less important than the suggested award criteria. Further, award of the suggested ribbons should not be limited to only the operations suggested below. These suggestions are illustrative, not comprehensive. A review of all past and present ADF operations is required to fully identify all of the possible operations to which these categories of medallic recognition ought to apply, and awards should be backdated for applicable past operations conducted in the period since 22 May 2012, when the OSM was instituted, and possibly earlier. Detailed consideration also needs to be given the length of deployed service that is required for the award of each ribbon. In particular, where humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)-type operations or Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC) operations lasted for less than 30 days, service for the duration of the operation should qualify an ADF member for award of the applicable ribbon.
Maintenance of the Rules-based Global Order ribbon. This should be awarded to ADF personnel who have served on operations that contribute to maintaining the rules-based global order, broadly defined. For example, such operations would include Operation Solania, Operation Argos, and Operation Gateway. The proposed ribbon design symbolises the land (ochre) and the sea (dark blue), and the airspace that encompasses them both (light blue).
Building Partner Capacity ribbon. This should be awarded to ADF personnel who have served on operations that focus primarily on training, advising, and assisting Australia’s partner nations and where award of an alternative medal or OSM ribbon has not been made. For example, such operations would include the current Operation Kudu and the previous Operation Augury—Philippines, which ran from 2017 to 2019. The proposed ribbon design is based on the patch colours of the ADF’s most decorated training unit, the Australian Army Training Team-Vietnam. These colours were yellow and green, with a small amount of red and black also included on the patch.
Defence Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief ribbon. This should be awarded to ADF personnel who participate in named overseas HADR-type operations that do not meet the threshold for award of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal. For example, such operations would include those conducted in response to cyclones in Fiji in 2016 and 2021. Deployment on Operation Render Safe should also qualify for the award of this ribbon. The proposed ribbon design reflects that of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal, with each side of this design being eucalyptus green divided vertically by a gold stripe. The centre of the design contains dark blue, red, and light blue stripes to symbolise the operational role of the ADF and to denote that this is a Defence award.
Defence Assistance to the Civil Community ribbon. This should be awarded to ADF personnel who participate in named DACC operations that do not meet the threshold for the award of the National Emergency Medal. For example, such operations would include Operation COVID-19 Assist and ADF operations conducted in response to flood events in NSW, Queensland and other states in 2021 and 2022. The proposed ribbon design reflects that of the National Emergency Medal, with each side of the design being eucalyptus green divided by three gold stripes, to form a total of seven stripes on each side, representative of the Australian states and territories. The centre of the design contains dark blue, red, and light blue stripes to symbolise the operational role of the ADF and to denote that this is a Defence award.
Miscellaneous Service ribbon. This should be awarded to ADF personnel who participate in any named operation that either: (1) after a period of three years from the date of cessation of the operation, has not qualified for the award of any other medal or ribbon; or (2) is ongoing for a period of greater than five years after the date of commencement of the operation, but has not yet at that time been subject to the granting of any other medal or ribbon. The Miscellaneous Service ribbon should also be awarded for major non-operational activities that significantly contribute to achieving the Defence mission. For example, it should be awarded to personnel who post overseas for periods greater than 180 days as part of the Defence Cooperation and Pacific Maritime Security Programs. The UK has recently announced a medal that is roughly equivalent to what this proposed ribbon intends to achieve, though the UK’s award criteria is narrower in scope; and the US has awarded a medal with approximately similar criteria for several years. This ribbon would therefore bring the ADF into alignment with its key AUKUS allies. The proposed ribbon features a rainbow design to represent the varied nature and full spectrum of ADF activities, with red as the central colour to emphasise that all operational service involves personal sacrifice and commitment to duty.
The intent of this ribbon is to ensure that all operational and significant non-operational service is recognised, regardless of the nature or duration of that service. Steps need to be taken, however, to ensure that its existence will not deter future decisions to create further additional OSM ribbons for operations that ought to receive their own unique form of medallic recognition. The award of the Miscellaneous Service ribbon should be made as a final measure, not as a first recourse.
Accumulated Service Device. A numerical Accumulated Service Device, similar to that used in conjunction with the OSM Greater Middle East Operations ribbon (pictured above), should be used for the second and subsequent award of each of the five ribbons proposed herein. Conditions for the award of this device for the proposed ribbons should mirror those for its award to accompany the OSM Greater Middle East Operations ribbon.
In conclusion, ADF retention initiatives should include a range of monetary and non-monetary rewards for service. The monetary incentives recently established through measures such as retention bonuses are a good start but more ought to be done, especially regarding the development and implementation of non-monetary rewards for service. One such measure, which could be achieved relatively easily, is the broadening of the number of OSM ribbons awarded, with the intent that new ribbons more closely and substantially recognise the nature, requirements, and achievements of contemporary ADF service. Though the exact ribbons proposed in this article need not be adopted, it is hoped that their inclusion herein has provided adequate ‘food for thought’ regarding what ought to be, and that serious consideration will be given in the near future to broadening this particular form of non-monetary incentive.
Three in my family serve, although two are leaving. One has been overseas on three high tempo deployments (three months each), including Kudu, no awards or recognition. One has done -multiple domestic ops as a reservist, at a loss of $30K in civilian income – nothing. The other one did a 30-day stint in the HQ of Op Resolute, sitting behind a desk doing largely the same job (but less hours) – they got the AOSM. Their mate did a trip to the Philippines for two weeks and got a foreign award. Another mate went overseas, sat in a US HQ doing not much (no access to US systems) and got three medals, including two US commendations (joint and army) – the awards had been written up before he even arrived in country. Most of those they did OP Bushfire four years ago never received the NEM. Somethings is not right.
The Australia Day and Kings Birthday awards also need a review – or are our soldiers and part-timers not worthy? Normally ~ 70% of Army awards go to officers, despite being only ~20% of the force. In 2024 alone it was 65%. It is indicative of a top- heavy org focused on managing up. Those in a HQ, with high visibility and a senior officer champion that can game the system seem to get most awards. Sure, sub-units nominate pers but they rarely get up the chain. Reservists do not rate rewarding, despite, making up ~35% of the force and doing ~ 800,000 days a year. This is unfair and insults our people by failing to recognize their outstanding contribution. We should be embarrassed by this lack of inclusion. If officers are 20% of the force, make a quota they get 20% of honors. If reservists make up 35% of the force, award the same percentage to our part timers, many of whom work full-time in a civilian job, then another 100 days/year for Army (and need to apply for their own DLSM).
Until the Government of the day grasps the nettle, and accepts that uniformed Military Service has unique characteristics which require innovative solutions to counter the loss of skilled staff, the downward spiral where key mid-ranking and highly skilled (thus with transferable skills external to Defence) ineligible for these new retention bonuses will only contribute to growing separation and staff shortages. This includes decoupling military and public service pay, solutions to make home ownership achievable, and introducing meaningful and unique salary and conditions.
However the challenge for Government will always be that if say Defence has unique conditions, then the expectation could be that the Government then should extend similar conditions to other Commonwealth entities with similar workforce pressures.
It's even awarded for our Op Render Safe!
They changed the system that was only second to the best at the time (Canada I Believe) had the best care for their military personnel who were killed, either in action or in Duty, and Veterans wounded in action or wounded in duty. Every single other major Commonwealth country recognises the sacrifices made by the veterans I have mentioned above, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom all issue Medals to the military personnel who are directly impacted by Death or Wounded.
The problem we currently have is a total lack of understanding of what this does for the Families of those who lost loved ones just through the very nature of the job. The government doesn’t realise that a vast majority of veterans who get wounded in service are not or should I say should not be issued with a medal if the Injuries sustained did not put you on a Class B Pension or high at the time of your discharge. (under DRCA - DVA Legislation) or (MRCA - DVA Legislation) Under the old Act prior to 1986, (VEA - DVA) the vast majority of veterans who served our country both during and peacetime, sadly a massive proportion of them have passed away. & It is very easy under VEA to know if a veteran was Killed in Action or Duty & The same goes for those who were Wounded in Action or Duty.
I guess the point I am trying to make here is a couple.
• We have 3 Acts that cover veterans entitlements
VEA (Veterans Entitlement Act) by far the most outstanding care provided for veterans who were killed or injured no matter the situation (downside of it, it has thousands of veterans who lied about what they did and what they saw to Psychiatrists, in reality what the Hawk/Keating government should have done when they discovered that out of the 100% of Vietnam veterans who received the TPI Gold card only 18% had been back to the Specialist Psychiatrist who had diagnosed them with PTSD, “Speaking from experience, being a 4 Generation Australia Army Combat corps Soldier, and from my very own mental health issues approved by DVA, there is absolutely no way could I not be going to my psychiatrist every 10 days. My Father is the same and my Grandfather was the same. All because of the extremely highly stressful situation that you are put under every single day in a Front Line combat corp. (this has been medically proven by multiple Doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and Neurologist) The end result should have been to take the gold card off the veterans who lied and committed fraud, however this did not happen they Introduced the new scheme:
DRCA originally SRCA-(Defence Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme) which is exactly the same as what every single employee who works for the federal government is under) it means that people like myself who were injured to a point where they MO (medical officer) usually a Lieutenant Colonel or higher has classified your injury as a whole body impairment of at least 30-59% incapacitated. Class B pension on discharge. Class A is 60% to 100% which would mean you are dead at 100%
Class C Is 29% or lower meaning that your life is not going to be affected from your service or medical discharge.
Then in 2004 the government introduced at the time what they thought was going to be better and that is what is still currently being used up until 30th Of June 2024.
MRCA - (Military Rehabilitation Compensation Scheme)
Very similar in principle to DRCA however Veterans under MRCA who are in the same situation as myself Receive a TPI gold card or gold card giving them better treatment and benefits as a human being who signed the dotted line and a blank cheque to serve our country for, and up to the value of our lives.
This is not something that I know any soldier ever thinks about at all, neither do I know any soldiers who looked at the compensation system when we joined up to serve our country. And in all honesty I personally didn’t even know why I was getting a pension at the age of 19, just because I got injured in the Army and had not served overseas with my new family members who I went through hell and back with, just so I could be with each and every single one of them, when the country came calling.
I signed that dotted line on the 19th Day of January in the year 1993 at the ripe old age of 17 years 4 months and 19 days old.
I had completed everything single bit of training from 1RTB to the School of Infantry training centre in singleton. I had 5 days left until myself and 48 other Men who were now not just soldiers!! Each and everyone single one of them could rely on me to save their life and the lives of those who we may be tasked with to defend and protect on behalf of the government of Australia and “at the time the Queen” our commander and chief. A I knew that each and everyone of those men would have done the very same for me.
My section commanders and Platoon Sgt noticed that I was limping after our normal 15km more jog. They were worried that something was wrong and we were only starting to pack up our kit and get ready to be posted to 6 RAR. We were painting our Trunks with the battalion colours to insure everything was going to the correct destination including our army duffel bags.
The CPL & SGT said HARMSY come here, yes Sgt I responded with, what is wrong with your leg, to which I answered nothing Sgt he said we have been watching you for the last couple of days and noticed that you are limping, I sad no I’m not, yes you are. You are going to the RAP ( royal aid post) Then they said to one of 48 of my best friends/ Family “Ando” yes Sgt he responded, finish off HARMSY trunk and put his shit in it when you have done yours, he is going to the RAP. The response was obviously no worries Sgt as was that of a few others who were all close by.
By the end of that day, because my Senior NCO’s were concerned that I might get badly injured, “in the following 24 hour period” as we had our final small exercise that involved sleep deprivation, hunger and limited water supply and our normal 15km with Pack and all the kit, around 55kgs the civilian doctor put me on no duty for running or Marching.
That was the end of my career, my life, everything I had dreamt of ever since I can remember and the massive loss of 48 Brothers.
Needless to say I was devastated I had no idea what was going to happen from here on out. I had no back up plan and a very poor quality of education, purely because I knew exactly what I needed to become a Soldier and I would rather have played sport, went snowboarding, waterskiing fishing, playing golf, you name it I played it.
To this very day, I still don’t know how to be a civilian, I have the body of an 80 year old coal miner who used a pick and shovel all his life and had a bull as is daily transport.
Here’s the thing that makes everything so much more difficult to keep on living at 49 years of age and being forced into retirement due to all the physical injuries I have from the natural effects of biometrics on the human body. Both my knees and buggered, as are my hips as is my lumbar spine, as is my thoracic spine and both my shoulders.
The Government don’t believe that I am entitled to the same financial or concessions as the soldiers who are under VEA or MRCA. In actual fact Illegal immigrates get all the Discount provided to Veterans under VEA, that is Electricity, Rates, registration and they don’t pay stamp duty on new cars purchased every 2 years. I am losing over $100 thousand a year just on loss of income, then there is the superannuation I would have earned if I could have worked until retirement age. Even with the compensation lump sum payment I have received, from my my approved conditions currently:
Right knee 30%
Left Knee 30%
Lumber Spine 20%
Physiological 40% + 40% because apparently if you have two different conditions it is not the same body part. If my psych disorders were put together and classed as 80%, I would have a gold card and be treated. Like you would expect anyone in my situation to be treated..
However I have to keep reliving my injuries and have to put more claims in because I am having panic attacks every time I go to hospital, as there is no where for me to escape in the event of an emergency, my shoulder are in a shocking condition because they have been doing a vast majority of work to compensate for my already accepted condition.
And let’s just rub some more salt into the wounds. The Australian government doesn’t think it is worth sending the money to issue medals to ADF personnel who I have mentioned above. It is so easy to stop it from going to people who did 10, 15, or 20 years because it hasn’t taken everything of them. It hasn’t caused massive physical or psychological trauma nor has it cost them financially because the pension is based on your rank when you were forced to retire. And if you served overseas it is very well known that if you are in a combat corp or assigned to a front line unit you medals show your service history.
The ADM is only a medal to tell other veterans that you voluntarily signed up to serve your country. It was released because the government realised that national service members were marching around with more medals than soldiers who might have done two or three tours overseas.
Medals are not a bragging rights item, they are the tellers of the story of that members service and sacrifice to the country and its people. They tell the story to our fellow members of the military and they tell the stories to our family. Please don’t continue to forget us. “IT IS KILLING US”