What do you think of the new volunteer requirements for the MOVSM?

2015-07-02T10:50:13-04:00

Effective 25 July 2015, there is a new AR 600-8-22 that dictates a Soldier's "volunteer service must exceed 3 years and/or 500 hours."

Previously it was up to Commanders about how much / how long is required (as long as service was done over time- not 1 event, to the community-military or civilian). I've seen some that give it away for any volunteering, and others that have high standards and required a lot. That difference in opinion of what is worthy volunteer service is now standardized...

What are your thoughts?

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_8_22.pdf

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 11:05 AM

2015-07-02T11:05:40-04:00

Would volunteering to help local VFW perform Military Funeral Rites count as tangible results?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-07-02T12:38:31-04:00

I think there will be far fewer MOVSMs awarded. Three years is the average Time of station length. I know quite a few volunteer programs that may suffer from this. I'm really curious about what brought this change? It came out of nowhere, it seems. The award is still fairly rare, in my opinion. This is more power being pulled from unit command teams.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-07-02T13:22:51-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member I'm good with high standards for this Medal, not everyone should have it but, 3 years and/or 5 years is kind of excessive. In our unit we have a PFC that did more than 160hrs of Volunteer service in her AIT, she got here and her paperwork was missing. She called back to get it sent to her, they said they don't have it anymore. So this Soldier lost more than 150hrs of service. 500 hours are almost 3 months of a full time job, that Medal will be something rare to see from now on.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2015 2:05 PM

2015-07-09T14:05:33-04:00

I agree with the higher standard. It is not too hard to rack up 500 hours in less than three years. Only those who are truly committed to volunteer will receive the award. I see it as a way of keeping the award as a reward for services rendered without expecting any gain.

I also noticed that the change will affect those serving as ministers for local worship centers.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-07-20T20:28:14-04:00

I do not think this was a constructive change. I think it may encourage people and organizations to forge records of hours just so soldiers can get what they deserve.

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Jul 21 at 2015 8:20 AM

2015-07-21T08:20:35-04:00

The Marine Corps has had similar requirements in place for a few years now. I think it is important to have high standards for the MOVSM to encourage long term volunteerism, as we a separate those that only deserve letters / certificates of appreciation for there efforts.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jul 21 at 2015 8:44 AM

2015-07-21T08:44:01-04:00

I think the minimum requirements are more than feasible. It helps separate true volunteers from medal seekers. I do think that commands need to be asking their soldiers about the volunteer work they perform, because a lot of it goes by unrecognized. Some of us aren't volunteering to get a medal, but some of those volunteers are definitely worthy of medal even though they don't bring attention to what they are doing.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Jul 21 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-07-21T10:33:20-04:00

I received mine, and was surprised that the unit had even put me infor it. I was a Volunteer Briefer for MADD. I Briefed from 2001 to 2005, I briefed almost every unit on post and I briefed with the local chapter. My average audiance at minimum was 350 people. I didn't do it for the award, like I said, it was a surprise when I received it. I did it for the awareness. I think if you have Soldiers that are volunteering and making a difference, then award them. Like someone stated 500 hours is nothing really. If a person likes to volunteer, it is a cake walk.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 9:25 AM

2015-07-22T09:25:52-04:00

I think it needed to be standardized. I've been in commands where it was very easy to obtain and in others where it was near impossible. I would say that there does still need to be a caveat of sorts so that discretion can be used, but a set number as a "norm" was needed. I had a Sailor with about 1500 hours of volunteer work turned down in one command and one only about 100 hours in another command approved.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-08-04T20:28:47-04:00

I think it's kind of bs. But it is nice to see a standard on the award. But it is kind of high. I don't know how I would be able to obtain it. I bust my ass til 5 or later everyday, than I want to go home to my family wait. scratch that I have to go home to my family to help my wife take care of our rambunctious son. Then on the weekends I have to take care of the house and do chores. I mean it is an award to designed to reward soldiers who do good things. But I think it is moving in the wrong direction.

Response by SGT Kenneth St.John made Oct 14 at 2015 11:49 AM

2015-10-14T11:49:34-04:00

I realize this is an old post but I found it and am sure others will too. In 1 ID the standard has been 100 verified hours to receive the award. I did my volunteer time while I was in AK and up there an MOVSM was not on the "to do" list to award. I didn't even know about the award while I was volunteering. I found out from the person at ACS who managed VMIS. Lucky he got me setup and all my hours logged and verified before I PCSd. After arriving at Fort Riley I found out the standard here and my command got everything signed so I could receive my 2 awards. Is 500 hours a lot yes - extreme probably. The workload of every unit is different and not every Service Member in every unit or at every location may have the same opportunities to volunteer. I don't see what issue was with just allowing a Post Commander/Division Commander set a standard and go from there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 11:38 AM

2016-07-16T11:38:01-04:00

I think it defeats the entire purpose of the medal. The purpose, at least in my eyes, is not only to recognize and provide tangible rewards for those who volunteer, but to provide motivation for more members of the service to be active volunteering in the community. Raising the bar this high will only serve to discourage those who would be interested in the award and thus decrease the overall impact of soldiers volunteering in the community.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2016 7:28 PM

2016-12-10T19:28:24-05:00

I just did the math. Over 3 years, that would be just under 14 hours a month. I could easily pull that off, and my unit work load is ridiculous. Plus you don't have to complete it in 3 years, that's just the minimum time requirment.

Furthermore I completely agree with the change. I had a team leader, a few years back, that said he would pass it up once we completed 40 hours. And to those that have kids, take them with you. Growing up I helped my parents with volunteer work, and I loved it.

There is also the single 3 year station. It doesn't say it has to be to the same program. Make a section in your I love me books to put volunteer time sheets with LORs from the boss/manager on site.

As far as the change coming out of nowhere, as I gave the instance prior, someone somewhere violated the guidline. Now there has to be a regulation, just like we all joke about that one guy. Welcome to the fallout!

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Dec 15 at 2016 9:30 PM

2016-12-15T21:30:48-05:00

It is a tough one as it would take about 167 hours per year in a 3 year tour. Nevertheless, if that is what the reg wants, then so be it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 6:02 PM

2017-03-17T18:02:26-04:00

I think it's fair. Anybody can volunteer here and there. A person who cares is going to keep volunteering to better the community, organization and or annual events. Time is valuable so when you give your time it should be recognized. I don't have 500 hours yet, that is alot of hours. I do have over three years of volunteer time with multiple organization's. You can tell who is giving their time and who deserves it. I do have an opinion on those parents with kids on a sports team and their racking 100s of hours for coaching. What do you think about that? We have the volunteer mangement information systems (VMIS) now to help Soldier build that volunteer resume. Your unit should have an OPOC to validate Soldiers hours on the webite. Check it out on Army One Source under volunteer tools.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2017 8:54 AM

2017-05-30T08:54:35-04:00

As a Commander who was a MOVSM approval authority for almost 3 years prior to the July 2015 changes, I embrace the requirement!
I saw so many MOVSM's cross my desk during those 33 months that I had to carefully sift through the award recommendation, the comments from the CoC and my staff (S1, XO), and then consult with my CSM who was also hard on these, that I was often accused of being too stingy with the requirements. I can't tell you how many times I had recommenders or the recommended Soldier tell me that I "had" to approve it based on their interpretation of the regulations.
I, along with my trusted advisor, the CSM, held to a high standard all MOVSM recommendations I approved but was always appreciative of any volunteer service done by Soldiers.

On a related note, any thoughts about volunteer hours being included on a service or PCS award, when the Soldier doesn't have the MOVSM yet? I see that as a bad practice, as if those hours are included on an approved award, technically, they can not then be included on a MOVSM later, as that would mean the Soldier sis being awarded twice for the same achievement. So far, everyone in my current chain of command agrees with me. Your thoughts?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2017 9:18 PM

2017-06-20T21:18:34-04:00

So, with this all being said, I currently have been volunteering at the USO on Fort Sill since 15th of May and got the hours logged from June 1st to current. I volunteer from 1000-2000 on Saturday and Sunday as well as volunteering from 1700-2000 every weekday (as my schedule permits me to) so for me it will not be hard to rack up 500 hours but I am not after a medal. I am just saying it can be done. I currently have 109 hours today and it has literally been just 20 days. If you have the opportunity to do so then why not? Get involved and give back.

Response by SFC Harry (Billy) Tison made Aug 8 at 2017 6:47 PM

2017-08-08T18:47:04-04:00

When I was in, I was on the honor guard for my unit. After 4 years of service with them, I wrote the detail up for the MOVSM, but our battalion gave us the AAM instead

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 6:38 AM

2017-11-30T06:38:17-05:00

We have a Solider who has 16 MOSVM. This was all prior to the changes,we didn't even think you could recieve more than 1..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2018 3:52 PM

2018-04-25T15:52:04-04:00

So I know this is an old post, but did they change it back? Under DoDM 1348.33-V2, December 21, 2016 it states: "The overall level of volunteer participation and impact of an individual’s community service is key to determining whether award of the MOVSM is justified. 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."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 3:58 PM

2019-02-12T15:58:26-05:00

I think there should be some standard for receiving this award but I believe that 500 hours and over a 3 year period is excessive. A true volunteer does it out of the kindness of their hearts not to rack up hours. It may be more feasible to have the Soldier log events instead of hours. This too could show a clear and present interest in community involvement.