Service: All Services
Instituted: 1950
Army Armed Forces Reserve Medal Criteria: 10 years of honorable service in any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces Reserve or award of “M” device.
Devices: Bronze, Silver and Gold Hourglass, Bronze Letter “M” , Bronze Numeral
Authorized in 1950 for 10 years of honorable and satisfactory service within a 12 year period as a member of one or more of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Army Armed Forces Reserve Medal – Overview
An executive order of Aug. 8, 1996 authorized the award of a bronze letter “M” mobilization device to U.S. reserve component members who were called to active-duty service in support of designated operations on or after August 1, 1990 (the M device was not authorized for any operations prior to August 1, 1990 although it had been previously proposed). Units called up in support of Operations Desert Storm/Desert Shield were the first units to be authorized the “M” device. If an “M” is authorized, the medal is awarded even though service might be less than 10 years. Previous to this change, only bronze hourglasses were awarded at each successive 10 year point (first hourglass at the 20 year point).
Army Armed Forces Reserve Medal – Design
The front of the medal depicts a flaming torch placed vertically between a crossed bugle and powder horn; thirteen stars and thirteen rays surround the design. The front of the medal is the same for all services; only the reverse design is different (see designs below). Bronze numerals beginning with “2” are worn to the right of the bronze “M” on the ribbon barand below the “M” on the medal, indicating the total number of times the individual was mobilized. Bronze, silver and gold hourglasses are awarded for 10, 20 and 30 years service, respectively.
The medal reverses are as follows:
The Navy Armed Forces Reserve Medal has a sailing ship with an anchor on its front with an eagle with wings spread superimposed upon it.
The Marine Corps Armed Forces Reserve Medal has the USMC emblem, eagle, globe and anchor.
The Air Force Armed Forces Reserve Medal has an eagle with wings spread in front of a circle with clouds and includes the inscription, “ARMED FORCES RESERVE.”
The Coast Guard Armed Forces Reserve Medal has the Coast Guard emblem, crossed anchor with the Coast Guard shield in the center.
The National Guard Armed Forces Reserve Medal has the National Guard insignia on the reverse, an eagle with crossed fasces in its center.
The Army Armed Forces Reserve Medal has a Minuteman in front of a circle with 13 stars representing the original colonies.
