Medal of National Defense Service explained

Medal of National Defense Service 国防服役纪念章
Presenter:	Central Military Commission
Country:	China
Type:	5-rank Military medal
Eligibility:	Military workers
Awarded For:	Long service in the People's Liberation Army
Status:	Active
Established:	August 1, 2011
Higher:	Meritorious Service Medal
Lower:	Medal of Guarding the Frontiers

The Medal of National Defense Service is a military decoration awarded by the Central Military Commission of China, first amended on May 4, 2010, then established on August 1, 2011.^[1] It was divided into three grades, but in 2022 it's re-divided into 5 grades.

Criteria

2011 criteria

The medal is awarded to military officers, civilian cadres and soldiers who have served for the People's Liberation Army for more than 10 years. Among them:

• A person who served more than 10 years and less than 20 years is awarded with a bronze medal,
• A person who served more than 20 years and less than 35 years is awarded with a silver medal,
• A person who served more than 35 years is awarded with a gold medal.^[2]

2022 criteria

In February 2022, the original 3-rank criteria were re-ranked with a new 5-rank criteria:

• A person who served for at least 50 years is awarded with a special level medal
• A person who served for at least 40 years and less than 50 years is awarded with a level 1 medal
• A person who served for at least 30 years and less than 40 years is awarded with a level 2 medal
• A person who served for at least 16 years and less than 30 years is awarded with a level 3 medal
• A person who served for at least 8 years and less than 16 years is awarded with a level 4 medal

References

1. Web site: 中国人民解放军纪律条令. 中国军网. 2016-05-11.
2. News: 加强和改进军队奖励工作的重要举措. 解放军报. 赵风云. 2016-05-11.