Long Service Awards - The Changes to The Rules

Long Service for Regular officers to be rewarded

The rules and regulations regarding the awarding of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal have changed to include Regular officers for the first time.

Following a review in 2014 it was noted the only group of individuals not being recognised for their length of service were Regular officers. As a consequence, Ministers have agreed that the eligibility criteria should be extended to include them.

ARMY

To qualify for the award, officers must be serving in the Regular Army on or after 29 July 2014 and other ranks must be serving on or after 1 October 2016 and both must have completed 15 years Regular service, free and clear of any disciplinary entry on their records.

Clasps are available after each further period of 10 years Regular Army service. This is a change from current policy which requires 15 years service for each additional clasp.

Medals will be automatically issued by the MOD Medal Office to officers and other ranks who have completed 15 years service without entries on their disciplinary record.

Soldiers, who under the previous regulations have had the award or clasps denied or delayed, may apply for the award or clasps, once they have completed the requisite qualifying time from their last entry (15 years for the medal, 10 years for the clasp). 

Private soldiers who have entries for minor offences can appeal against an automatic delay imposed on their eligibility, however this concession will not apply to NCOs and officers, for whom a higher standard of conduct is expected, in accordance with CGS’ Leadership Code.

ROYAL NAVY

The Long Service and Good Conduct (LSGC) Medal for the Royal Navy is awarded to personnel in recognition of long service. The regulations were updated on 1 October 2016.

To qualify, you must have:

• 15 years’ reckonable service in the Navy
• a clear record with no misconduct for at least the last 15 years
• been serving on or after 29 July 2014, if you’re an officer
• been serving on or after 1 October 2016, if you’re an ‘other rank’
• have all 3 conduct badges with character judged no lower than ‘very good’

If you have a disciplinary entry on your record, you will need to wait 15 years from the date of your last offence before you will be eligible again. 

For every additional 10 years’ service with a clear record you’ll be issued a clasp. For example, if you qualify and have served 26 years you will receive the medal and clasp.

ROYAL AIR FORCE

The Long Service and Good Conduct (LSGC) Medal for the Royal Air Force is awarded to personnel in recognition of long service. The regulations were updated on 1 October 2016.

To qualify, you must have:

• 15 years’ reckonable service in the RAF
• a clear record with no misconduct for at least the last 15 years
• been serving on or after 29 July 2014, if you’re an officer
• been serving on or after 1 October 2016, if you’re an ‘other rank’

If you have a disciplinary entry on your record, you will need to wait 15 years from the date of your last offence before you will be eligible again.

For every additional 10 years’ service with a clear record you’ll be issued a clasp. For example, if you qualify and have served 26 years you will receive the medal and clasp.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility#current-meritorious-and-long-service-medals

Replica long service awards can be found HERE.