Honouring achievement: A stunning set of completed medals showcased in a Jarrah Medal Case. Photo: Supplied.
If you’re not sure how to correctly wear your military or service medals, Rod Villablanca at BrandNet explains the standard protocols for different medal types.
How do Defence Force members wear their medals, compared to police or emergency service members?
“How you wear your medal depends on who received it, and how they received it,” Rod says. “Whether you received your medal directly, and for what service, will determine which side of your body you wear your medals on.
“For Australian Defence Force members who have received their medal directly, they will typically wear their medals on the left side, above their heart.”
If you’re in the police or emergency services and receive a medal directly, you will typically wear it on the right side of your body, at breast-pocket height.
What about wearing medals that were received by a loved one?
‘If you have a loved one who received medals, and you want to commemorate their service, you can do so by wearing their medals on the right hand side, at breast pocket height,” Rod says.
How do you wear medals at events?
For official events after 6 pm, you would usually wear ribbons instead of full medals.
When should medals be mounted?
“For recipients of more than one medal, they should be mounted,” Rod says.
There are two types of medal mounting – coat mounting and swing mounting. Coat mounting is the standard style that the Australian Defence Force requires of its personnel.
Swing mounting, which allows the back of the medal to be seen, is typically used for legacy medals from World War I or world War II.
“Remember that medals represent an individual’s service and bravery, and that’s why we recommend getting them mounted.”
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