Type Medal Post-nominals DSM | Status Currently awarded Established 15 January 1991 | |
Eligibility Members of the Australian Defence Force Awarded for Distinguished command and leadership in action | ||
The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action. The DSM was introduced in 1991 and is the second highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSM". Since its inception 136 have been awarded—which includes six Bars—with the most recent being announced in the 2015 Australia Day Honours.
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Government allowance
The Government of Australia may grant an allowance to veterans or serving members of the Australian Defence Force who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, or other awards for gallantry. At November 2007, this allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight.