The award recognises the good conduct of personnel over a 15 year period, and now extends to cover all regular serving members. Changes to the awarding of the medal follow an independent review of military medals, conducted in 2014, other changes will see a clasp added to the medal every further decade served, and that there will no longer be a permanent bar to anyone receiving the medal.
A special ceremony will be conducted next week that will see Mr Fallon presenting the first medals to members of the Armed Forces, he said: “Tracing its history back to 1830, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is the oldest medal still being awarded. It is therefore right to make these changes and to be able to more fully recognise those who commit themselves to a career serving our country in the Armed Forces.
Three medals were awarded to the Queen, in her capacity as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, a position she has held since accession in 1952. While The Duke of Edinburgh received a Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct medal, with six bars on the ribbon, to recognise 75 years of service.
Outgoing Defence Services Secretary Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, the Chief of Defence People, who presented The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh with their medals, said: “It was the greatest honour to present our Commander in Chief and the Duke of Edinburgh with medals that recognise their ceaseless long Service in the Armed Forces.”
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Armed Forces British Army Duke of Edinburgh Good Conduct Long Service Queen Elizabeth RAF Royal Navy