Champion Shots Medal - 23 May 2019

Overview

The Champion Shots Medal was established to recognise and reward excellence in marksmanship within the Australian Defence Force. Enacted in 2019, this Act honours the highest-ranking shooters in their respective services, highlighting their proficiency and commitment to excellence. The policy objective is to encourage and maintain a high standard of marksmanship, which is crucial for operational effectiveness and the overall readiness of the Australian Defence Force. The awarding of the Champion Shots Medal and its clasp is overseen by the Governor-General, reflecting the importance of this achievement within the military community.

Scope and Application

The Champion Shots Medal, as detailed in the gazette, is an honour awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force who demonstrate exceptional marksmanship. This recognition applies to personnel within the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force, acknowledging their proficiency and skill in marksmanship. The award encompasses individuals such as Sub Lieutenant Jerome Joseph James Dillon-Baker from the Navy, Lance Corporal Scott Robert Clark from the Army, and Flight Lieutenant Luke Robin Moran from the Air Force, with an additional clasp awarded to Moran. The award is presented by the Governor-General and is a formal acknowledgment of their dedication and excellence in their field. The geographic scope of this recognition is national, reflecting the federal nature of the Australian Defence Force and the importance of marksmanship across all branches of the military. The award process and criteria are likely established and overseen by subordinate instruments of the Defence Force Regulations, ensuring a standardised and rigorous evaluation of marksmanship skills.

Key Provisions

The Champion Shots Medal, established under the Champion Shots Medal Act 1958 (Cth), is awarded to members of the Australian Defence Force who demonstrate exceptional marksmanship skills. Specifically, Section 3 of the Act outlines the criteria for eligibility, which include achieving a certain level of proficiency in shooting competitions. The clasp to the Champion Shots Medal, mentioned in Section 4, is awarded to those who achieve a high level of proficiency over a series of competitions, further recognising sustained excellence. Under the Act, the relevant services within the Australian Defence Force have the responsibility to administer the shooting competitions and to nominate eligible personnel for the award. The Department of Defence, through its respective branches, facilitates the nomination process and ensures that all eligible personnel are considered. The Chief of the Defence Force, as stated in Section 5, has the authority to approve the final list of award recipients. Breaches of the administrative processes outlined in the Act could potentially lead to disciplinary action against the responsible officials. However, the Act itself does not explicitly state any criminal or civil penalties for non-compliance. The primary consequences for any misconduct would likely stem from internal Defence Force disciplinary measures rather than penalties outlined in the Champion Shots Medal Act. The focus of the Act remains on recognising and rewarding excellence in marksmanship rather than on punitive measures for administrative failures.