History

The Cadet Forces Medal was instituted by King George VI on February 1, 1950. The Silver Medal is awarded to uniformed volunteers of the Cade Forces in recognition of 12 years of exemplary and continuous service since September 3, 1926. Service between September 3, 1939, and September 2, 1945, counted as double. Unit 1971, the Medal was awarded to only Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, but it has since been extended to also reward Cadet service over 18 years of age.

Clasps may be awarded to denote additional periods of service. Until 1971, clasps were awarded to denote an additional 12 years of service. Between 1971 and 1999, eligibility for the award of a clasp was reduced to an additional 8 years of non-continuous service. The qualifying period for clasps was once again reduced to an additional 6 years of non-continuous service in 1999. A silver rosette may be worn on the ribbon to denote the award of a clasp when the ribbon is worn alone. A gold rosette may be worn to denote the award of 4 clasps, 1 gold and 1 silver rosette is worn to denote the award of 5 clasps, 1 gold and 2 silver for 6 clasps, and 2 gold rosettes are worn to denote the award of 7 clasps.

There are multiple versions of the Medal which vary by the obverse effigy of the ruling monarch.