New Defence Meritorious Service Medal for New Zealand

[JPL]

The new Defence Meritorious Service Medal will recognise outstanding service across the whole of the New Zealand Defence Force. It can be awarded to all ranks of the NZ Defence Force, Regular and Reserve Forces and civilians, regardless of the recipient’s rank, grade, Service affiliation, or length of service. The Medal can also be awarded posthumously.

The DMSM recognises the changing environment that Defence Force personnel work in now and will in the future. It fills a significant gap that has existed for some time in the range of honours and awards available to the NZ Defence Force. In the hierarchy of awards for distinguished and meritorious service, the DMSM comes after the New Zealand Order of Merit and Distinguished Service Decoration and before the Chief of Defence Force and Service Chief’s Commendations. The DMSM replaces the New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) but the MSM continues to be officially recognised and can still be worn by recipients. Read the article: http://defensenews.asia/Home/new-medals-for-newzeland-defense/

Jean-Paul

[Megan]

Thanks for the heads-up, Jean-Paul. Here's the beast: -

[Antonio Prieto]

From http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/news/default.htm#dmsm2 Defence Meritorious Service Medal Introduced 17 October 2013

Statement by Lieutenant General Rhys Jones, Chief of Defence Force

I’m pleased to announce the introduction of a new medal - the Defence Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM).

The Defence Meritorious Service Medal will recognise outstanding service across the whole of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). It can be awarded to all ranks of NZDF, Regular and Reserve Forces and civilians, regardless of the recipient’s rank, grade, Service affiliation, or length of service. The Medal can also be awarded posthumously.

The DMSM recognises the changing environment that Defence Force personnel work in now and will in the future. It fills a significant gap that has existed for some time in the range of honours and awards available to the NZDF.

The DMSM may be awarded by Chief of Defence Force in recognition of an act, conduct or service that, in the opinion of CDF, is outstanding and worthy of medallic recognition.

In the hierarchy of awards for distinguished and meritorious service, the DMSM comes after the New Zealand Order of Merit and Distinguished Service Decoration and before the Chief of Defence Force and Service Chief’s Commendations.

The DMSM replaces the New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). The MSM continues to be officially recognised and can still be worn by recipients.

The Commissioner of Police, Peter Marshall, will also inform his staff of the introduction of a new Police Meritorious Service Medal which is also being announced today.

New Zealand Police and NZDF worked closely with the Government for approval to be given in a Royal Warrant signed by the Queen, and Regulations that will be signed by the Governor-General to ensure the medals could be struck and awarded.

Lieutenant General Rhys Jones

Chief of Defence Force

Images of the Defence Meritorious Service Medal (obverse on the left; reverse on the right)

Royal Warrant

The Royal Warrant for the New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal can be viewed as a pdf file (251 kb). The Royal Warrant can be viewed as text / html at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2013/0429/latest/DLM5287201.html (on the Parliamentary Counsel Office's New Zealand Legislation website).

Regulations

The Regulations for the New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal will be made publicly available after they have been signed by the Governor-General and the Minister of Defence.

About the ribbon

The colours of the ribbon for the DMSM have the following origins and meanings:

Historically, crimson has been used in the design of long service and merit awards since 1830 in the British Army and since the 1887 for distinctive New Zealand military medals, e.g. the New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (1887-1931), the original and 1985 New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal. The ribbon of the New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (1887-1931) was crimson with two narrow white central stripes.

The ribbon of the New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal is crimson with a green central stripe. This design has been amended for the DMSM ribbon by the addition of a narrow white stripe either side of the central green stripe and a narrow yellow stripe at each edge.

The colours have been selected to provide a link with the two MSMs awarded in New Zealand and the historic New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (1887-1931)

Yellow alludes to achievement or brilliance. In heraldry, yellow also often refers to gold.

Green is a colour associated with all three Services (Navy, Army and Air).

Designer

The New Zealand Herald of Arms, Mr Phillip O’Shea, LVO, designed the DMSM and its ribbon. Mr O’Shea has designed most New Zealand awards instituted since 1973 including the Queen’s Service Order and the New Zealand Order of Merit, and campaign medals such as the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992, New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 and the East Timor Medal, as well as the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.

Order of Wear

The position of the DMSM in the order of wear is still to be confirmed by the Governor-General. It is expected that the DMSM will be worn immediately after the MSM.

No Post Nominal

The award of the New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal does not confer a right to use a post nominal.

Related media statements:

17 October 2013 - Meritorious medal for NZDF and NZ Police

17 October 2013 - Meritorious Service Medal introduced for Police