Army National Guard Components Achievement Medal

Awarded for four years of honorable service in the Army National Guard with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. Effective March 28, 1995, the period of qualifying service for the award was reduced from four years to three years; however, this change was not retroactive. The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal may also be awarded to officers in the grade of Colonel or below. The decoration was first created in 1972. Reserve Good Conduct Medals are typically intended only for enlisted personnel and are not eligible to be presented to officers. The primary difference between the regular Good Conduct Medal and the Reserve Good Conduct Medal is that the Good Conduct Medal is only issued for active duty service while the reserve equivalent is bestowed for reserve duties such as drill and annual training. The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a similar decoration which is awarded for ten years of honorable reserve service and is presented to both officers and enlisted personnel.