Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) is a military award which was created under Executive Order 12830 by George H. W. Bush on January 9, 1993. The medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry and was first issued in December 1993.

Criteria
The MOVSM recognizes those members of the military (active duty, reserve and national guard) who perform substantial volunteer service to the local community above and beyond the duties required as a member of the United States Armed Forces. Such volunteer service must be made in a sustained and direct nature towards the civilian community, must be significant in nature to produce tangible results, and must reflect favorably on the military service and the United States Department of Defense. The definition of volunteer service is left intentionally vague, allowing for a wide variety of activities and volunteer duties which would qualify a service member for the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Such as Volunteer Emergency Services, Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchen work, etc.

There is no time limit required for the MOVSM, however some awarding authorities require that the volunteer service exceed a set time period, i.e. three years, or a set number of hours served, i.e. 100 hours. Since the award is classified as a service medal, there is no citation which accompanies the award, however some commanders will present a personal letter to those who receive the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Multiple awards of the MOVSM are denoted by service stars.

The governing regulation for this award is DoD 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, September 1996.

Appearance
The MOVSM is a bronze medal, 1 1/4 inches in diameter. The obverse bears five interlaced annulets behind a five-pointed star, surrounded by a laurel wreath. On the reverse is an oak sprig with three leaves and two acorns between the inscription OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE above and UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES below.

The suspension and service ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch bluebird; 1/8 inch goldenlight; 3/16 inch bluebird; 1/16 inch green; 5/32 inch goldenlight; center 1/16 inch green; 5/32 inch goldenlight; 1/16 inch green; 3/16 inch bluebird; 1/8 inch goldenlight; and 1/8 inch bluebird.