Medal of National Defense Service

Not to be confused with National Defense Service Medal.

The Medal of National Defense Service (Chinese: 国防服役纪念章) is a military decoration awarded by the Central Military Commission of China, first amended on May 4, 2010, then established on August 1, 2011. It was divided into three grades, but in 2022 it's re-divided into 5 grades.

Medal of National Defense Service 国防服役纪念章
Type	5-rank Military medal
Awarded for	Long service in the People's Liberation Army
Country	China
Presented by	Central Military Commission
Eligibility	Military workers
Status	Active
Established	August 1, 2011
Precedence
Next (higher)	Meritorious Service Medal
Next (lower)	Medal of Guarding the Frontiers

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.

Service Ribbon

• 
  Golden
• 
  Silver
• 
  Bronze

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