How can you get the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and who in the unit oversees it? Is there a form to keep track?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 21:56:39 -0500

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2016 10:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 22:01:06 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2016 11:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 23:20:25 -0500

500 hours and/or 3 yrs of volunteer service......that is the baseline requirements. As for who oversees it, whomever you are volunteering for, it would be best if they were keeping track of your volunteer hours on some sort of log sheet so you can have hard data when the 638 is submitted.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 26 at 2016 11:35 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 23:35:19 -0500

thats a good one...

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Nov 27 at 2016 12:17 AM

1SG Mike Case — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 00:17:37 -0500

Register to track your hours with VMIS (Volunteer Management Information System) at Army One Source. That is what is the preferred method used to track your hours. If you can't, have the place where you volunteered at write the time and duties performed on their letter head. If you are near an army installation, the ACS personnel can help you register and keep track of your hours. Any other questions can be found in AR 600-8-22.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Nov 27 at 2016 1:25 AM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 01:25:49 -0500

Y'all do it a lot different than we do in the Air Force. We don't have a strict hour/year service requirement, just that it be worthy of the special recognition shown by the award.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Nov 27 at 2016 4:26 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 16:26:12 -0500

VMIS is one way to keep track of the volunteer hours. Once I used an excel sheet with dates, times and description and it met the intent.

The MOVSMs that I received were all signed by the first commander in the chain, all O-5s. The 638 would be submitted through the company PAC like any other award.

Each of these commanders stayed within the spirit of the regulation. One wanted at least 100 hours minimum for consideration. They all wanted sustained volunteer service and impact to the community. The CSM and 1SG are a soldier's best advocate for the award.

Keep in mind that the MOVSM is a service award. There is no official certificate that goes with it. Orders are not published for it. The signed and approved DA 638 is your source document.

You can earn more than one MOVSM in your career but only one per tour.

As always, it is the commander's program.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2016 9:30 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:30:37 -0500

I believe it's based on hours. Check with your welfare/morale/recreation representative to see how hours are tracked. I honestly would track them myself with accreditation from the volunteer program you are with.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2016 4:58 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 16:58:13 -0500

I have the honor of receiving one for being involved with my son's high school Sports Boosters Group for 3 years. The Athletic Director sent a letter to my Command when I left the position.