Do you have to be under a non-profit organization when volunteering off post for MOVSM?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 06:23:07 -0500

I have been told to volunteer off post (for VMIS and MOVSM) it has to be under the umbrella of a non-profit organization. I have not found this in writing anywhere. Maybe I am just looking in the wrong place. Anyone have a reference?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 7 at 2023 6:41 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 06:41:46 -0500

AR 600-8-22. Short read.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2023 11:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 11:06:46 -0500

Below is a snippet from the regulation and although it does not specifically mention non-profit, normally volunteer work is best logged through one. Does what you do fall under the criteria? Can you tell us what you're doing for your community? Maybe we can give you a general consensus on whether you qualify or not.

To qualify for award of the MOVSM a Servicemember’s service must meet the following requirements:

(1) Be voluntary.
(2) Be to the civilian community, to include the military Family community.
(3) Be significant in nature and produce tangible results.
(4) Reflect favorably on the Army and DOD.
(5) Be of a sustained and direct nature.

c. The MOVSM is not authorized for the following:
(1) A single act or achievement, as this does not constitute sustained community service.
(2) Merely attending membership meetings or social events of a community service group or organization, as this does
not constitute significant and direct community service.
(3) Volunteer service performed while deployed to a combat theater.
(4) Service that is detailed or tasked, or performed as part of a military mission (for example, unit project; command
sponsored project) as this service is not voluntarily in nature or is part of the command’s mission.
(5) Service that results in personal gain for the Soldier.

g. Approval authority for award of the MOVSM will be commanders (overseas and CONUS) serving in the rank of
lieutenant colonel (LTC/O–5) and above. Before the recommendation is forwarded to the award approval authority, the
recommender must certify that the Servicemember meets the eligibility criteria for award of the MOVSM. Substantiating
documentation, such as record of hours contributed, letters or certificates from activity supervisors, or other proof of the
Servicemember's volunteer services may be attached as enclosures to the recommendation.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 7 at 2023 12:01 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 12:01:21 -0500

Don't overthink it. The regulation is vague and broad because the objective is broad. No, there isn't a specific group, organization or specific activity to earn this achievement. Support your community and provide volunteer service. You can use your imagination and go from there.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2023 12:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 12:33:22 -0500

As a recipient of the MOVSM my recollection is (as discussed by others) the award is broadly and vaguely written.

It is also among the lowest level of authority requirements. I mean I think I'm correct that a 1LT in the commander slot with an assumption of command memo could award the medal.

So the hurdle is getting from your lowest level of command authority in your chain of command what their standards are. The regulation for the MOVSM basically places it entirely on their shoulders.

What I personally did was find out what my company commander required (it was 100hrs of anything anywhere), and then I wrote up a memo discussing my contributions (making a point to mention the 100 hour requirement in there) for the Operations Officer of the non profit I was helping out to cut and paste on their organization stationary and poof, there I go. MOVSM awarded.

********
Find out what your commander requires. Maybe they are oblivious to it, and now you can help them create a unit wide policy for the MOVSM.

What you don't want to do is go in there asking about getting the MOVSM and then having the command team come up with insane requirements beyond what you have already done.

When I was in AIT, the company commander had a 40 hour policy, and the 1SG coordinated various pre approved activities the AIT soldiers could attend to get those hours. So while I would say 40 hours is a pretty low bar, it was during AIT when every minute of free time was precious. But the whole program was explicitly designed and volunteer hours tracked and controlled where soldiers applied their volunteer time (it was mostly designed so bodies could support local non profit activities associated with Veteran services, and having too many hours would likely discourage getting those bodies, and minimize the folks that could work to get the actual number of required hours to actually get the award at AIT graduation which is the whole point of these things).

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Mar 7 at 2023 4:07 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 16:07:53 -0500

Absolutely not required under the regulations, but by the time you have made it to E6 you ought to realize that many units don't know or care what regulations say. This is one of those situations where there is simply nothing to be gained by fighting the system. If you want the award, just do what your unit says they require.