If you've served in the military or know someone who has, chances are you've heard of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). But how significant is it? And what does it truly represent? This blog post aims to unpack the meaning, importance, and prestige of the Meritorious Service Medal. Whether you're curious about whether the Meritorious Service Medal is a big deal or looking to better understand its place within military traditions, this post will give you all the answers.
What Is the Meritorious Service Medal?
The Meritorious Service Medal is a prestigious award granted to members of the Armed Forces for outstanding service or achievement. Initially established in 1969 for the U.S. Armed Forces, the medal recognizes meritorious, non-combatant service of an exceptional nature that is deserving of acknowledgment from senior military leadership. This decoration was established by Executive Order 11448 and the award was established as the counterpart of the Bronze Star Medal for the recognition of meritorious noncombatant service.
Designed to bridge the gap between broader service medals and highly specialized honors, the MSM rewards acts that are remarkable but may not fall under direct combat scenarios. It is awarded to members of all branches of the Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal? For those who receive it, the answer is a resounding, yes.
Criteria for the Meritorious Service Medal
The MSM is no participation trophy. Its standard for recognition is high. But what exactly does it take to be awarded this honor and why is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal? Here, are the main criteria associated with earning a Meritorious Service Medal:
1. Exceptional Non-Combat Service
The MSM is focused on achievements outside of combat. This could mean exemplary leadership, exceptional administrative service, or even innovative contributions to the operational success of a given unit or command.
Within the U.S. Army, for example, the Meritorious Service Medal is sometimes awarded to captains who might be serving as company commanders or to senior enlisted personnel who are serving as company or detachment first sergeants.
2. Proven Impact
Recipients of the MSM must demonstrate a significant and lasting impact in their field. This might include managing complex projects successfully, enhancing unit efficiency, or resolving critical operational challenges. Using the example above, many leadership positions ordinarily require a lot of extra work and leaders are placed in command team positions for at least a couple of years, so the demands can be taxing and require a lot of energy and effort. It is definitely an "above and beyond" award.
3. Sustained Excellence
Rather than recognizing a single moment of brilliance, the Meritorious Service Medal celebrates dedication over an extended period. Recipients may have consistently exceeded expectations across multiple assignments or roles. Is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal? We think it is a big deal because it reflects a sustained effort at achieving something tangible and if you’ve served, you know that the bureaucracy can sometimes be a considerable foe.
Why Is the Meritorious Service Medal a Big Deal?
If you're still asking, "Is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal?" we can provide more information to convince you that the answer is a very certain "Yes!" Here's why:
1. Recognizes Leadership and Dedication
Leadership can be challenging and crucial, but it is not life or death as direct combat (most of the time). Certainly, leaders face training mishaps, suicides, and accidents that can cause injury or death to service personnel, but the MSM was created to recognize non-combat service. Many MSM recipients are recognized for creating an environment where their teams thrive. This demonstrates that the MSM is about more than personal excellence; it is about lifting others up.
2. Acknowledged by Senior Leadership
Unlike more commonplace medals, the Meritorious Service Medal is not handed out lightly. It requires approval at senior command levels, showing that the contributions it highlights have made waves across the organization. Most senior leaders know that the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal.
3. A Career-Defining Honor
It’s important to note that the MSM doesn’t require a military member to serve in a unit leadership position, per se. The service member can be a sole contributor who has contributed to the mission and gone above and beyond. For example, maybe the unit supply sergeant created a new tracking system to issue and monitor equipment which led to the unit’s exceptional performance during training exercises over the course of a couple of years.
For some military members, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal can often serve as a milestone in their career. Earning this recognition adds polish to one’s service record and can set the stage for further promotions or assignments with increased responsibility. Is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal? We’ve seen them presented to retiring members of the military for decades of service.
Who Typically Receives the Meritorious Service Medal?
While MSM recipients come from all corners of the Armed Forces, certain groups have higher likelihoods of earning the award. These include individuals in leadership roles, operational planners, and specialists in high-impact fields.
Example Recipients
Commanding officers receive the MSM for successfully leading their teams toward outstanding unit performance. Senior enlisted leaders can also earn the Meritorious Service Medal.
Administrative officers might earn the medal for drafting policies or procedures that revolutionize operations. Administrative enlisted members can also be considered in this manner.
Logistics specialists, engineers, or analysts engaged in solving complex, large-scale challenges might also qualify. Is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal? Yes, because it is ordinarily awarded for sustained, important effort.
For example, an officer responsible for managing a $10-million logistics operation that saved time and resources might be a strong candidate. Similarly, an airman who reorganized cybersecurity protocols to enhance base security exponentially could merit such recognition.
Misconceptions About the Meritorious Service Medal
Despite its prestige, some myths surround this military honor. Let's bust a few of them to give further context:
1. Only Officers Can Receive the MSM
While it is true the majority of recipients are officers, enlisted members can also qualify. Outstanding contributions know no rank.
2. It’s Not "Combat-Related" Enough
Some dismiss the Meritorious Service Medal as a trivial or "desk role" medal. This is inaccurate. While the MSM does focus on non-combat achievements, the level of operational and organizational impact it recognizes is immense.
Remember, everything done in the U.S. military is done to improve or increase lethality, so even desk personnel contribute to the fight and should be awarded accordingly if their contributions make the force better.
3. It’s Easy to Receive
This misconception stems from misunderstanding the rigorous evaluation process involved. Not only does the MSM require substantiated evidence of excellence, but it also demands a significant, sustained impact.
The MSM and Its Emotional Significance
Beyond professional recognition, being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal represents an emotional milestone. For recipients, it often signifies validation of their hard work, sacrifices, and the difference they've made for both their teams and the greater mission.
The MSM also serves as a source of pride for families and loved ones, offering proof that their support has helped the recipient achieve something truly extraordinary. And let’s not forget, medals mean promotion points for enlisted personnel and the Meritorious Service Medal carries varying points value from service to service.
How Does the Meritorious Service Medal Compare to Other Awards?
Military awards are complex, and not all medals are created equal. The MSM occupies a unique space in the hierarchy of military honors.
It is above awards like campaign medals, which recognize service in specific operations or regions, are broadly distributed.
It is parallel to similar meritorious service awards particular to service branches of the Defense Department.
It is below distinguished awards, such as the Silver Star or Medal of Honor, which remain tied to valor and heroism under direct combat situations.
This placement highlights that while the MSM may not be tied to combat bravery, its focus on exceptional achievements makes it profoundly meaningful. Is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal? You bet.
Honoring the Meritorious Service Medal
At its core, the Meritorious Service Medal honors those who elevate the Armed Forces through leadership, dedication, and exceptional contributions. When asking, "Is the Meritorious Service Medal a big deal?" it’s important to recognize its unique role in celebrating the service members who serve behind the scenes.
For example, a few years ago when two members of the U.S. Army's 282nd Army Band retired, the band's director pinned Meritorious Service Medals on the uniform of the members who were retiring after 20 years of service to the nation. It goes without saying that the band members put in countless hours to entertain troops all over the world.
Additionally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, a U.S. senator from South Carolina, also served as a U.S. Air Force reservist at the Air Force's Judge Advocate General's school. He was presented with an MSM for his duties as an Air Force Reserve lawyer, but he also earned a Bronze Star Medal for his work in Iraq and Afghanistan during the course of several years.
If you or someone you know has been awarded an MSM, take a moment to reflect on its significance. Remember, it is a symbol of excellence and a validation of the impact made through extraordinary service.