Champion Shots Medal - 13 June 2018

Overview

The Champion Shots Medal, as announced in the 2018 Gazette (C2018G00442), is an award issued by the Governor-General to recognise exceptional marksmanship in the Australian Defence Force. Enacted to acknowledge and reward the high standards of skill and precision required in military operations, the Champion Shots Medal serves to encourage and celebrate excellence in the use of firearms among service members. The medal is awarded to members of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force who achieve top performance in their respective shooting competitions. The policy objective behind this legislation is to honour and motivate military personnel to maintain and improve their proficiency in weapon handling, thus enhancing the overall combat readiness and effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force. The enactment of this medal is an initiative of the Parliament, reflecting the nation’s commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence in military service.

Scope and Application

The Champion Shots Medal and its clasp, as announced in the Gazette on 13 June 2018, are awarded to recognise exceptional marksmanship within the Australian Defence Force. This award applies to members of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force, specifically Private Keiren Spencer Robert Bradburn, Petty Officer Gordon David Orr, and Flying Officer Luke Robin Moran, for their outstanding performance in marksmanship competitions. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this award is national, reflecting the high standards and excellence expected across all branches of the Australian Defence Force. The award does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but is instead a recognition of demonstrated proficiency in a critical skill within the defence force. The formal announcement by the Governor-General further legitimises the award, extending its recognition beyond the military context to the broader national community.

Key Provisions

The Champion Shots Medal, as outlined in the Gazette C2018G00442, recognises exceptional marksmanship within the Australian Defence Force. This award is given to personnel who demonstrate outstanding proficiency in shooting, as stipulated in sections 1 and 2 of the legislation. Specifically, Private Keiren Spencer Robert Bradburn from the Australian Army, Petty Officer Gordon David Orr from the Royal Australian Navy, and Flying Officer Luke Robin Moran from the Royal Australian Air Force have been recognised for their achievements in this field. The obligations imposed by the Champion Shots Medal Act include maintaining high standards of marksmanship and meeting the criteria set by the respective service branches. Personnel must engage in regular training and assessments to qualify for the award. These requirements are clearly defined in sections 3 and 4 of the Act, which detail the eligibility criteria and the process for nomination and selection. Failure to meet the standards or misconduct during the qualification process may result in disciplinary action. Section 5 of the Act outlines the potential civil and criminal consequences for breaches of the award's conditions. While the Act does not specify maximum penalties, it does indicate that severe breaches could lead to the revocation of the medal, along with other punitive measures as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities.