Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
By Jim Garamone
WASHINGTON -- Military volunteers often perform many hours of
service to their communities and the military wants to recognize
their efforts.
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal honors members'
community service, said Army Maj. Bob S. Stone, deputy director
outreach programs in DoD's reserve affairs office. The medal
came into being in 1991 as a result of President Bush's
"Thousand Points of Light" campaign to encourage volunteerism.
Stone said the medal recognizes the countless hours military
members put in helping their communities. "We have an Air
National Guard unit in Virginia that has worked for years
helping support the Special Olympics," he said. "This medal
gives the individuals involved in the effort some recognition."
Another example is at Fort Hood, Texas. "Fort Hood soldiers have
been working very closely with schools in the surrounding
communities in tutoring, setting up model schools, getting
equipment and so on," Stone said. "The medal gives them some
official recognition for their efforts."
Still another case in Florida involves an officer who sponsored
a program to collect and repair computers for use in local
elementary schools.
All service members are eligible for the award, but most know
nothing of it, Stone said. "The approving authority is at the
[colonel/captain] level," he said. "That makes it very hard to
track." DoD has no estimate of how many medals have been
awarded.
The medal can only be earned through "sustained" community
service, Stone added. "You don't get it for coaching a soccer
team for one season, but you could qualify if you work with
youth groups for a number of years," he said.
The award is not for duties service members perform as part of
their jobs. "This award recognizes the effort you put in to your
community, not your unit," Stone said. "You get this award for
things you do during your off-duty hours."
Each service handles award criteria differently: in Army
Regulation 600-8-22, section 7, paragraph 224-5; in Secretary of
the Navy instruction 1650.7; and in Air Force Instruction 36-
2803.
American Forces Press Service
