Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal

Background

This award was originally established as a ribbon bar by the Secretary of the Air Force on April 1, 1964 and was amended on May 1, 1973, when the medal was created.

Criteria

It is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a four-year period while serving in an enlisted status in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Awarded for a period of three continuous years of service computed from the date of assignment to a training category A, B or D for individuals with a beginning date before July 1, 1972. For individuals with a beginning date after June 30, 1972, the length of service requirement is three continuous years of service. Award the medal to individuals who accrue at least one year, but less than three years toward award of the medal and terminate their enlisted Reserve status as a commissioned or warrant officer regardless of the beginning eligibility date.

Creditable service ends when called to active duty. A period of more than 24 hours between reserve enlistments counts as a break in service. Credit must begin anew after the break. An active duty period is not a break in service. Do not credit service performed in the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Reserve components. When determining service computation, exclude service as a commissioned officer.

Medal description

This circular bronze medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry. In the center of the obverse is an American eagle, wings outstretched perched on a wide circle containing a five-pointed star with a disk in the center (like the symbols on early U.S. Aircraft); above the eagle and between its wing tips is a banner with the words, “Meritorious Service.” Around the edge to the left are the words, Air Reserve and to the right, the word “Forces” with delta wing shapes on either side of the word. Behind this design are 13 rays or lines from the center. The reverse of the medal has a cloud design in the center and within this at the top are the wings and thunderbolts of the Air Force Coat of Arms. Below this is the word, “To,” and encircling the outer edge of the medal is the inscription, “Exemplary Behavior - Efficiency - Fidelity.”

Ribbon description

The ribbon has a very wide light blue center stripe flanked on either side by a narrow blue stripe, a thin gold stripe, a narrow blue stripe, a wide white stripe and at the edges a thin stripe of white.

Authorized devices

Oak Leaf Cluster