Australian Intelligence Medal Explained

Australian Intelligence Medal
Presenter:Australia
Type:Meritorious Service Medal
Eligibility:A member of the National Intelligence Community.
Awarded For:Distinguished Service
Status:Currently awarded
Description:medal (front)
Post-Nominals:AIM
Established:24 January 2020
Firstawarded:2021 Australia Day Honours
Lastawarded:2024 King's Birthday Honours
Total Awarded:26[1]
Precedence Label:Order of Wear
Higher:Australian Corrections Medal (ACM)
Lower:Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

The Australian Intelligence Medal (AIM) is a civil decoration awarded to national intelligence community members for distinguished service. The decoration was introduced on 24 January 2020. Recipients of the Australian Intelligence Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "AIM".[2]

Description

The medal is a bi-metal construction of nickel-silver in antique finish and bronze colouring in a circular shape 38 millimetres in diameter. The obverse of the medal features a raised Federation Star. The centre of the Federation Star has a bronze-coloured raised impression of a decagon, symbolising the ten agencies of the National Intelligence Community. The Federation Star is surrounded by an indented border, representing the twenty-four-hour nature of intelligence. The central emblem is encircled by a contemporary laurel of a wattle which recalls the uniquely Australian nature of the award. The reverse features a border with the raised, polished words ‘Australian Intelligence Medal’ surrounding a space where the recipient's name may be engraved.[3]

The ribbon is 32mm wide and features a central band of yellow 5 millimetres in width, flanked by white graduating to midnight blue then to black.[3]

Eligibility

Awards are made by the Governor-General, on the nomination of the Australian Intelligence Medal Committee. The total number of awards made each year must not exceed the following quota:[3]

The National Intelligence Community consists of ten organisations, with the head of each along with the secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet forming the Australian Intelligence Medal Committee.[3]

The eligible organisations are:[4]

Notable recipients

Avril Haines, the Director of National Intelligence (United States) was awarded the medal as part of the 2024 King's Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to the National Intelligence Community."[5]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Governor-General Annual Report 2022-23 . 6 October 2023 . Governor General of Australia . 28 November 2023.
  2. Web site: Australian Intelligence Medal Regulations 2020 . Australian Gazette . Australian Government. 10 November 2020 . 31 Jul 2020.
  3. Book: Meritorious Awards Booklet . 2023 . Governor General of Australia . 117–132 . 5th . 28 November 2023.
  4. Web site: National Intelligence Community agencies . National Intelligence Community . Australian Government . 28 November 2023.
  5. Web site: Australian Intelligence Medal . It's an honour . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 10 June 2024.