HMNZS Taranaki for ex HMNZS Taranaki crew - 24 July - A message from Mike (Subs) Subritzky, National New Zealand Antarctic Veterans Assoc

My Fellow Antarcticans!

I have just spoken with Lieutenant Commander John Smith RNZ (rtd), our Navy Rep who recently attended the RNZRSA (Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association - for our American friends it is the same organisation as The American Legion).

John put the question of "What is happening in regards to Medallic Recognition for those servicemen and women who served on The Ice?" to the Chief of Defence Staff.

The CDS was about to answer when Robin Klitscher rose and suggested that he speak on the subject during his own speech. (Robin Klitscher, a retired senior Air Force Officer is the Chairman of the Medallic Committee).

Shortly after the CDS ended his speech, Robin Klitscher then spoke on three distinct and long standing Medallic grievances.

1. THE RHODESIA MEDAL. This medal was awarded to some 75, lightly armed Kiwis who were placed in the thick of 'Harms Way' during the end of the Rhodesian War in 1979 - 1980. This medal is currently considered a "Clayton's Medal" ("the medal you get when you ain't getting a medal") by those who were awarded it; for it is neither one thing or another, and continues to slide further down the medallic "food-chain" with the awarding of each and every new Decoration, Peacekeeping or War Medal and currently comes in the Order of Precedence "after" the Cadet Forces Good Conduct Medal. The Aussies on the other hand conferred the Rhodesia Medal as a Campaign Medal "one of their own" and it resides just after the Vietnam Medal (from memory). So The Medallic Committee are looking at addressing that long standing grievance.

2. ANTARCTICA. The Medallic Committee are in full support of a medal to recognise service South of South 60%. After considerable discussion on this matter, (and I know from many of the folks involved on the periphery of our grievance), Robin Klitscher and his Committee have gotten behind us, and have taken this matter to Defence, Government, Antarctic New Zealand, and also Internal Affairs. I understand that one "glitch" for a time was the fact that we want recognition for all Kiwi's who served the NZ Government down there, and not just service personel. The bottom line is this, it would "appear" that we are about 12 months away from being awarded THE NEW ZEALAND SPECIAL SERVICE MEDAL with the "Antarctic Ribbon." Those Nuke Vets amongst us, it will mean that you will again receive the NZSSM, but with a different medal. This custom of wearing the exact same medal with different ribbons, is fast becoming the norm with our Armed Forces.

3. THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE MEDAL. The RNZRSA have made the quest for a retroactive medal for "ALL" Kiwis who served in the New Zealand Military. A very similar quest for such a medal was put forward by Allan Lawton of the Cold War Veterans Association so as to mark that period in history 1945 - 1990. It would appear that the New Zealand Defence Medal is to be awarded to "ALL" Kiwis who serve in the Armed Forces for a qualifying period of 6 Years. The "nuts and bolts" of this medal have yet to be worked through. I can tell you that this medal has the full support of the RNZRSA and it is listed as Point: 8 of the Welfare Manifesto. (The following is the Aussie preamble to their award, but is almost a mirror of the RNZRSA mention which also appears on page 15 of the June 2005 REVIEW).

"The Australian Defence Medal also reflects the fact that when serving in a modern Defence Force, it becomes difficult to discriminate between those who serve directly on operations and those who support those operations."

"The Australian Defence Medal reflects the fact that by serving in the Australian Defence Force individuals make a contribution to the national interest, whether they served the country on operations, or whether they remained in Australia in a support role."

"The war on terrorism has redefined the notions of a frontline or even an easily definable Area of Operations."

"Some tasks undertaken by soldiers, sailors and airmen remain invisible to the community at large but are very important to our nation’s defence. These may include preparation and planning, intelligence and, indeed, other classified activities that for national security reasons can’t be recognised by a specific award." etc.

In closing whanau, as I said earlier it would appear (hand on heart), that we are about 12 months away from the announcement of the awarding of the THE NEW ZEALAND SPECIAL SERVICE MEDAL with the "Antarctic Ribbon."

As soon as I learn anything more on this matter I will certainly let you know.

Lastly, if you should receive this email several times it is because some of our members have changed their email address and not informed either myself or Mike Smith.

Warmest regards,

Mike "Subs" Subritzky
National President
New Zealand Antarctic Veterans Association

Our Website:
http://antarctic.homestead.com/Index.html