A Bronze medal 1 inches in diameter, with a flaming torch in front of a crossed powder horn and a bugle within a circle composed of thirteen stars and thirteen rays. On the reverse is a different design for each of the reserve components. The reverse of all medals have the inscription ARMED FORCES RESERVE around the rim. Organized Reserve: On a wreath, the Lexington Minuteman statue as it stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts encircled by thirteen stars. National Guard: The National Guard insignia (two crossed fasces superimposed on an eagle displayed with wings reversed. Air Force Reserve: The crest from the Air Forces seal (on a wreath, an eagle displayed in front of a cloud form). Naval Reserve: The center device of the Department of the Navy seal (an eagle displayed on an anchor in front of a ship in full sail). Marine Corps Reserve: The Marine Corps insignia (eagle perched on a globe superimposed on an anchor). Coast Guard Reserve: The central design of the Coast Guard seal (crossed anchors superimposed by a shield within an annulet).

Bronze hourglass to indicate 10 years service; silver hourglass to indicate 20 years service; gold hourglass to indicate 30 years service; letter M to indicate mobilization in support of US Military operations or contingencies designated by the Secretary of Defense; and a numeral to indicate number of times mobilized.

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/16 inch Bluebird 67117; 1/32 inch Chamois 67142; 1/16 inch Bluebird; 1/32 inch Chamois; 1/16 inch Bluebird; 3/8 inch Chamois; center 1/8 inch Bluebird; 3/8 inch Chamois; 1/16 inch Bluebird; 1/32 inch Chamois; 1/16 inch Bluebird; 1/32 inch Chamois; and 1/16 inch Bluebird.

See Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards.

The following are components of the Armed Forces Reserve Medal:

The Armed Forces Reserve Medal was authorized by President Truman by Executive Order 10163, dated 25 September 1950. The Executive Order was amended by Executive Order, dated 6 August 1996, to include authorization for award based on mobilization.

If no "M" device is authorized, the appropriate hourglass shall be positioned in the center of the ribbon. If no hourglass is authorized, the "M" device shall be positioned in the center of the ribbon, followed by (worn to the wearers left of the M device) Arabic numerals indicating the number of times the device has been awarded, starting with the second award (no number is worn for the first award). If worn alone, the M device is centered. If both the hourglass and the "M" device are awarded, the M device is centered on the ribbon and the hourglass is worn to the wearers right. If a numeral is worn, it is placed on the ribbon to the wearers left, with the M device in the center and the hourglass to the wearers right.