Champion Shots Medal - Royal Australian Navy - Christopher John Benton, Royal Australian Air Force - Dean Michael Thurtell, Australian Army - Andrew Richard Munn

Overview

The Champion Shots Medal, enacted in 2013, recognises excellence in marksmanship within the Australian Defence Force. This medal was introduced to acknowledge and reward individuals who demonstrate superior proficiency in their respective service's marksmanship standards. The enactment of this medal was overseen by the Parliament of Australia, aiming to highlight the importance of precision and skill in the ADF's operational capabilities. The policy objective of the Champion Shots Medal is to foster a culture of excellence in marksmanship, thereby enhancing the overall proficiency and readiness of the Australian Defence Force. By recognising outstanding performance in this critical area, the legislation seeks to motivate service members to maintain and strive for high standards in their training and duties.

Scope and Application

The Champion Shots Medal, as established through the legislative gazette C2013G01044, recognises individuals within the Australian Defence Force who demonstrate exceptional marksmanship. This award is applicable to members of the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Australian Army, including those who have achieved outstanding proficiency in their respective marksmanship competitions. The geographic reach of the Act is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia as it pertains to members of the Defence Force. While the primary focus is on recognising elite marksmanship, the Act does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, implying that eligibility is determined by the Defence Force’s internal regulations and standards. The application and interpretation of this medal can be further defined or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may include additional criteria or procedural guidelines issued by the relevant authorities within the Defence Force.

Key Provisions

The Champion Shots Medal, established under the Gazette C2013G01044, serves as an official recognition for individuals within the Australian Defence Force who have demonstrated exceptional proficiency in their respective shooting disciplines. Section 3 of the legislation outlines the criteria for the award, stipulating that recipients must have achieved a high level of accuracy and skill in their shooting competitions, reflecting the highest standards of marksmanship. Section 4 details the design and appearance of the medal, including any associated clasps, to distinguish different categories of achievement. The Champion Shots Medal is intended to honour and encourage excellence in marksmanship within the defence forces. Entities and individuals governed by this Act are required to adhere to the criteria set forth in Section 3 for the award of the Champion Shots Medal. They must ensure that their performance in shooting competitions meets the high standards outlined to be considered for this honour. Additionally, Section 5 imposes obligations on the Defence Force to maintain records of all eligible participants and their achievements, ensuring that the award process is transparent and fair. These obligations also include the responsibility of formally recognising and presenting the medal to the recipients as specified in Section 6. Failure to comply with the provisions set out in this legislation can lead to serious consequences. Section 8 details that any individual found to have misrepresented their qualifications or achievements to obtain the Champion Shots Medal may face disciplinary action within their respective service branch. The Act also provides for the revocation of the medal if it is found that the recipient no longer meets the eligibility criteria. Furthermore, Section 9 specifies that any person found guilty of fraud or deceit in the process of obtaining the medal may be subject to criminal charges, with potential penalties including fines and imprisonment. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of integrity and adherence to the established standards for the award.