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Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

 The Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) is awarded to recognize members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their Reserve components who, subsequent to 31 December 1992, perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct, and consequential nature.

 To qualify for award of the MOVSM a service member's volunteer service must meet the following requirements:
 1. Be to the civilian community, to include the military family community.
 2. Be significant in nature and produce tangible results.
 3. Reflect favourably on the Military Service and the Department of Defense.
 4. Be of a sustained and direct nature.

 On 2 July 1996, the SECAF approved realigning the MOVSM approval authority to the group commander level. This includes commanders of composite and provisional groups and (colonel) group commander, or equivalent, of geographically separated units. This approval authority may not be further delegated.

 While there is no specific time period to qualify for the MOVSM (for example 500 hours of community service within 24 calendar months), approval authorities shall ensure the service to be honored merits the special recognition afforded by this medal. The MOVSM is intended to recognize exceptional community support over time, not a single act or achievement. Further, it is intended to honor direct support of community activities. For the purpose of this award, attending membership meetings or social events of a community service group is not considered qualifying service, while manning a community crisis action telephone line for a sustained period of time is considered qualifying service. The overall level of volunteer participation and impact of a member's community service is key to determining whether award of the MOVSM is justified.

 The MOVSM recognizes service provided to a community over time, therefore, multiple awards of the MOVSM during a single tour of duty are not authorized. However, a sustained record of significant community service performed during successive tours may be considered by approval authorities when adjudicating recommendations for award of the MOVSM.

 Service recognized by award of the MOVSM shall be of voluntary nature, not detailed or tasked, nor performed as part of a military mission (for example, a unit project).

 Authorized Device: A bronze service star will be worn to denote subsequent award of the MOVSM.

Category of Award: Pending

Established by: Executive Order 12830, January 9, 1993, as amended by Executive Order 13286, February 28, 2003

Authorized Device(s): Bronze Service Star

References:
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Page 35
SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, Page 4-41 to 4-43
COMDTINST M1650.25E, Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, Page 5-25 and 5-26
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Page 61 to 63

Page updated June 9, 2017

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