The Good Service Medal, Gold, originally named the South African Defence Force Good Service Medal, Gold, is the senior of a set of three military medals which was instituted by the Republic of South Africa on 1 July 1975. It was initially awarded to members of all elements of the South African Defence Force for thirty years of exemplary service, but was restricted to Permanent Force personnel from 1993. The South African military The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Institution The Good Service Medal, Gold was instituted by the State President in 1975 and was named the South African Defence Force Good Service Medal, Gold until 1993. The medal is the senior of a set of three military medals for long service, along with the Good Service Medal, Silver for twenty years of good service and the Good Service Medal, Bronze for ten. Award criteria The medal was initially awarded to Permanent Force, Citizen Force and Commando members of the South African Defence Force for thirty years of good service, but was restricted to Permanent Force personnel from 1993 and renamed. Order of wear The position of the Good Service Medal, Gold in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1975 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first upon the integration into the South African National Defence Force in 1994 and again upon the institution of a new set of awards in 2003. South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994 Official SADF order of precedence: Preceded by the Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service. Succeeded by the John Chard Decoration (JCD). Official national order of precedence: Preceded by the Medal for Faithful Service in the Prisons Service, 30 Years. Succeeded by the Department of Correctional Services Medal for Faithful Service, 30 Years. South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994 Official SANDF order of precedence: Preceded by the Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service of the Republic of South Africa. Succeeded by the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold of the Republic of Bophuthatswana. Official national order of precedence: Preceded by the Police Medal for Faithful Service, Silver of the Republic of Transkei. Succeeded