National Defense Service
Military Medal & Military Ribbon

a. Authorization. E.O. 10448, E.O. 12776, and E.O. 13293.

b. National Defense Service Medal Eligibility Requirements

(1) Honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces for any of the following periods, all dates inclusive: 27 June 1950 to 28 July 1954; 1 January 1961 to 14 August 1974; 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995; and 12 September 2001 to a date to be determined.

(2) Categories of personnel listed below are ineligible, except as noted:

(a) Guard and Reserve force personnel on short tours of active duty to fulfill training obligations under an inactive duty training program, including drill periods and two-week training. However, effective 8 October 1991, the President of the United States expanded criteria to include all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing during the periods 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995, and from 12 September 2001 to a date to be determined. Consequently, all members of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing during said periods are eligible.

(b) Any person on temporary active duty to serve on boards, courts, commissions and like organizations.

(c) Any person on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination.

(d) Any person on active duty for purposes other than extended active duty.

(3) Subparagraph (2) above shall not bar award of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) to members of the Guard or Reserve forces, who, after 31 December 1960, become eligible for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal, who serve for 30 days or more on temporary active duty. Such persons shall be considered to be performing active service for the purpose of eligibility for the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).

(4) Midshipmen attending the Naval Academy during the above periods are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal