The Commendation for Distinguished Service was introduced in 1991 and is awarded for distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations.
The insignia of the Commendation for Distinguished Service is nickel-silver with a Federation Star superimposed on a row of flames.
The Commendation for Distinguished Service insignia is mounted on a plain ochre-red ribbon. A miniature insignia is worn on the ribbon bar.
Further awards of the Commendation for Distinguished Service are made by Warrant describing the separate action being recognised. No additional insignia is received or worn.
There is no entitlement to postnominal letters for recipients of the Commendation for Distinguished Service.
The source document for the Commendation for Distinguished Service is:
CAG S25 of 4 February 1991 (Letters Patent and Regulations).
The nomination procedure is detailed in Defence Instruction (General) PERS 31-3 Australian Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards.
The position of the Commendation for Distinguished Service in the Australian Order of Wear may be seen here.
Web page last updated 12 Sep 2008