The Defence medal was awarded to all three services plus the civilian services such as the civil defence, police, fire service, Home Guard, were also eligible provided the qualifications for the medal were complied with.

For members of Bomber Command they had to have three years non-operational service, if they had been in any of the above civil services prior joining the RAF this service could contribute towards the required three years. In some cases men would come into the services already having qualified for the Defence Medal. Overseas services of a over a year qualified for the medal.