Individuals, units or groups who have achieved outstanding outcomes in environment and heritage management in Defence in the course of our mission to defend Australia and its national interests may be formally recognised through the Defence Commendation Scheme (the Scheme).
Recognition of environmental performance or achievement through the Scheme is undertaken in accordance with the Scheme’s Policy and Administration Guidelines (see Chapter 39, DHAM Vol. 1). All Defence Service personnel, APS, foreign exchange, contractors and consultants are eligible for an environmental commendation through the Scheme. Applications may be submitted by individuals, units or groups for their own achievements or nominating achievements of another.
In the case of nominations being progressed through Estate & Infrastructure Group, the nomination will be assessed by the Assistant Secretary Environment and Engineering Branch.
Eligibility for a commendation in environment or heritage management will require demonstration of outstanding environmental performance or achievement, and may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following criteria:
Specific examples may include:
For the nomination of individuals, outstanding environmental achievement can be recognised through one of the following levels of commendations (ranked in order of importance):
Outstanding environmental achievement for a group, unit or team may be awarded one of the following commendations (ranked in order of importance):
Nominations need to be submitted using the form AD 112 Nomination for a Defence Commendation. Include as much detail as required, ensuring information provided remains concise but adequately justifies the environmental achievement. Applications will need to include:
Ensure all names are provided in the case of nominations for group, unit or team awards.
Nominations for Secretary and CDF, and Service commendations should be submitted through your Chain of Command. The recommended Defence Support Services commendation should be sent to the Assistant Secretary Environment and Engineering at: environmentandheritage@defence.gov.au .
Secretary and CDF commendations are ultimately approved by the Principal Awarding Authority (ie. DEPSEC Estate & Infrastructure Group).
The recommended Defence Support Services commendation is assessed by the Assistant Secretary Environment & Engineering. The commendation will be awarded by the DEPSEC Estate & Infrastructure Group for Gold level commendations and the First Assistant Secretary – Infrastructure for Silver and Bronze level commendations.
In assessing a nomination, the Awarding Authorities may:
For further information on commendations for outstanding environmental contribution, contact environmentandheritage@defence.gov.auor see Chapter 39, DHAM Vol. 1.
Note: While this guidance is for nomination for Defence Support Services commendations, an individual or group may still use Service or Group processes for recognition of outstanding environmental achievement or performance. Refer to Chapter 39, DHAM Vol. 1 for further information.
Recognition through this Scheme streamlines and replaces the former Chief of Defence Force (CDF) and Secretary’s Environment and Heritage Awards.