This is the first of a yet-to-be determined number of parts exploring the background to the Australian Service Medal (ASM). It is appropriate to speak of the two versions of the medal as one and the same and only differentiate where necessary. Defence consider them as essentially the same.
While the ASM is relevant to Butterworth service during the Second Malaysian Emergency (SME) comments in this series will not be limited to Butterworth. The aim is to show how the Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs have allegedly mishandled, either through incompetence, deliberate deceit, or both, the administration of Veterans’ entitlements associated with the ASM. The scope goes well beyond the SME, embracing a range of declared non-warlike operations going back to 1945.
This series in no way is intended to diminish the legitimate claim for warlike service in Malaysia during the SME. Rather, as the series continues the alleged incompetence, deceit, or both of the two Departments regarding Butterworth will be examined.
THE AWARD AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL
The ASM, along with the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) were introduced in 1989. Shortly after that the three Service Chiefs held a series of meetings ‘to establish its [the ASM] use as a ‘general service medal’ for non-warlike service. The medal’s regulations specifically state it can only be awarded to recognise related to a prescribed non-warlike operation.
Under the Imperial System General Service Medals recognised service in minor campaigns and operations not warranting the issue of a separate medal. Clasps were added to the ribbon to show the campaign or operation the recipient had served in. The ASM and AASM were introduced to continue this tradition.
In 1992 the Service Chiefs agreed to criteria applying to the issue of the ASM. Activities specifically excluded were:
- normal overseas service in diplomatic, representational, exchange, training or Defence cooperation activities, regardless of the hazards associated with that service; and
- assistance in ADF aid to the civil community, either in Australia or overseas, and where that service is integrated with other civilian organisations and any threat does not require the use of uniquely military skills.
Activities not excluded by the above were to be assessed against:
- service not including warlike service activities in a state of declared war or combat operations against an identified enemy or belligerents;
- the likelihood of service being conducted overseas;
- being activities military in nature, utilising military skills and specialist resources according to the area (circumstances) and/or self-protection, rather than an activity involving skills that are available within civilian organisations;
- involving elements of military threat and hazard;
- conducted at the direction of Government, rather than an ADF decision alone; and
- likelihood of the activity being of prolonged duration of 30 days or more.
In 1993, the year after the Defence Chiefs agreed to the conditions applying to the award of the ASM, the Government agreed to use the terms ‘warlike’ and ‘non-warlike’ to determine the conditions of service that would apply to overseas deployments. ‘Warlike service’ basically is applied to service where force is authorised to meet military objectives and there is an expectation that casualties could occur. ‘Non-warlike’ service is applied to service that is considered to be more hazardous than peacetime service but does not have the same risk as ‘warlike’. Casualties could occur but are not expected and may result from environmental risks, such as diseases. The use of force is limited to self-defence.
In 1993 the Government also established the Committee of Inquiry into Defence and Defence Related Awards (CIDA),described in 2008 as ‘possibly the most significant of all reviews dealing with Defence medals’. CIDA recommended the introduction of the ASM 1945-1975 to recognise non-warlike service in that period, a recommendation that was accepted by the Government. Part 2 will comment on the CIDA report.
KEY POINT
The ASM was introduced in 1989 to recognise service on prescribed non-warlike operations. It cannot be awarded for any other purpose.
SOURCES
- Defence Honours and Awards and Commendations Policy Review, 8 February 2008.
- Submission to the Defence Honours and Awards Tribunal, ‘Inquiry into the Recognition of Members of Rifle Company Butterworth for Service in Malaysia between 1970 and 1989’, Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, 23rd June 2010.
