Posted on Jan 24, 2024
When calculating volunteer hours for the MOVSM, do you include travel time?
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Hello everyone,
If possible I was wondering if I could get some clarification as I didn’t see anything pertaining to this on the memo and word of mouth to people is conflicted.
When calculating volunteer hours for the MOVSM do you include travel time. Some events that I have done have been well over an hour to attend and it would be nice to include those hours.
I’ve heard some people say no just count the time at the event which is what I’ve been currently doing and I’ve had people count all the time that they spend that day.
Thank you.
If possible I was wondering if I could get some clarification as I didn’t see anything pertaining to this on the memo and word of mouth to people is conflicted.
When calculating volunteer hours for the MOVSM do you include travel time. Some events that I have done have been well over an hour to attend and it would be nice to include those hours.
I’ve heard some people say no just count the time at the event which is what I’ve been currently doing and I’ve had people count all the time that they spend that day.
Thank you.
Posted in these groups: 
Awards
Community Service
Awards Community Service
Posted 3 mo ago
Responses: 4
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Why not Identify as "Travel Time" and let them decide... keeps you out of hot water... SPC (Join to see) .
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SPC (Join to see)
That’s a really good idea! Worse they will do is push it back saying more hours needed.
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - you could always put in more Volunteer time... that may work in your favor...
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COL Randall C.
SPC (Join to see) - Completely agree with Charlie. The details* of qualifying service are purposefully left vague, so that means it will be a subjective interpretation by the approving authority.
Personally, I would include travel time that was done in the performance of the volunteer work as creditable but travel time to and from the volunteer work would not be, but that would be my subjective interpretation and may differ from your commander.
Since some would include it and some wouldn't, why try to guess. If it is disallowed, I would break out the travel time as above (in performance of the volunteer work and that used to travel to the volunteer work) and recalculate.
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* https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_vol2.PDF
Personally, I would include travel time that was done in the performance of the volunteer work as creditable but travel time to and from the volunteer work would not be, but that would be my subjective interpretation and may differ from your commander.
Since some would include it and some wouldn't, why try to guess. If it is disallowed, I would break out the travel time as above (in performance of the volunteer work and that used to travel to the volunteer work) and recalculate.
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* https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833_vol2.PDF
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*******
Although sustained community service is not defined by a specific time period or number of volunteer hours (e.g., 36 months encompassing 500 hours of direct volunteer service), approval authorities will ensure the service to be honored merits the special recognition afforded by this medal.
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It's what one makes of it, and what the authorizing commander makes a threshold for.
Although sustained community service is not defined by a specific time period or number of volunteer hours (e.g., 36 months encompassing 500 hours of direct volunteer service), approval authorities will ensure the service to be honored merits the special recognition afforded by this medal.
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It's what one makes of it, and what the authorizing commander makes a threshold for.
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I get why people might consider travel time, but personally, I've stuck to just the event hours.
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