1. Description: A bronze medal 1 ¼ inches in diameter, with
a flaming torch in front of a crossed powder horn and a bugle within a circle composed of
thirteen stars and thirteen rays. On the reverse is a different design for each of the
reserve components. The reverse of all medals have the inscription "ARMED FORCES
RESERVE" around the rim. Organized Reserve: On a wreath, the Lexington
Minuteman statue as it stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts encircled by
thirteen stars. National Guard: The National Guard insignia (two crossed fasces
superimposed on an eagle displayed with wings reversed. Air Force Reserve:
The crest from the Air Forces seal (on a wreath, an eagle displayed in front of a cloud
form). Naval Reserve: The center device of the Department of the Navy seal (an
eagle displayed on an anchor in front of a ship in full sail). Marine Corps Reserve:
The Marine Corps insignia (eagle perched on a globe superimposed on an anchor). Coast
Guard Reserve: The central design of the Coast Guard seal (crossed anchors
superimposed by a shield within an annulet).
2. Devices: Bronze hourglass to indicate 10 years service;
silver hourglass to indicate 20 years service; gold hourglass to indicate 30 years
service; letter "M" to indicate mobilization in support of US Military
operations or contingencies designated by the Secretary of Defense; and a numeral to
indicate number of times mobilized.
3. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of
the following stripes: 1/16 inch Bluebird 67117; 1/32 inch Chamois 67142; 1/16 inch
Bluebird; 1/32 inch Chamois; 1/16 inch Bluebird; 3/8 inch Chamois; center 1/8 inch
Bluebird; 3/8 inch Chamois; 1/16 inch Bluebird; 1/32 inch Chamois; 1/16 inch Bluebird;
1/32 inch Chamois; and 1/16 inch Bluebird.
4. Criteria: Award under one of the following conditions:
a. Awarded for honorable and satisfactory service as
a member of one or more of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces of the United States
for a period of 10 years within a 12-year period. Upon completion of the fourth 10-year
period, a gold hourglass followed by a bronze hourglass shall be awarded.
b. Awarded for mobilization on or after 1 August
1990, to members called to active duty and served under Title 10, United States Code (USC)
(Defense Department) or Title 14 USC (Coast Guard) or the member volunteered and served on
active duty in support of US Military operations or contingencies designated by the
Secretary of Defense. The "M" device is worn to indicate mobilization.
Subsequent mobilizations are denoted by the wear of a number to indicate the number of
times mobilized. No hourglass is worn unless authorized under the above paragraph.
5. Components: the following are components of the Armed Forces
Reserve Medal:
a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/231. (Stock
number for the full size medal set with ribbon bar.) National Guard: NSN 8455-00-227-1713;
USAR: 8455-00-269-5781.
b. Medal (miniature): MIL-DTL-3943/231. Available
commercially.
c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/13. NSN 8455-00-265-4916.
6. Background: The Armed Forces Reserve Medal was authorized
by President Truman by Executive Order 10163, dated 25 September 1950. The Executive Order
was amended by Executive Order, dated 6 August 1996, to include authorization for award
based on mobilization.
7. Wear: If no "M" device is authorized, the appropriate hourglass shall be positioned in the center of the ribbon. If no hourglass is authorized, the "M" device shall be positioned in the center of the ribbon, followed by Arabic numerals indicating the number of times the device has been awarded, starting with the second award (no number is worn for the first award). If both the hourglass and the "M" device are awarded, the hourglass shall be positioned in the first position on the ribbon (at the wearer’s right), the "M" device in the middle position, and the number of times the "M" device has been awarded in the remaining position (at the wearer’s left).
