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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.
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal 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 Kitchens, etc.
There is no time limit required for the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, however most awarding authorities require that the volunteer service must exceed three years in length, and/or 100 hours of service. Since the award is classified as a service medal, there is no citation which accompanies the award, however most commanders will present a personal letter to those who receive the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Multiple awards of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal are denoted by service stars.
The governing regulation for this award is DoD 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, September 1996..
