In April of 1964 the Air Force established its Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal and called it the "Air Force Reserve Ribbon". Seven and a half years later, in November of 1971, these Air Force ribbons became full sized military medals. The original decoration was awarded for four years of meritorious service without any disciplinary action. Four years after that, the Air Force reduced the meritorious service requirement from four years to three years of honorable service, for duty periods after 1975. Any periods of call-up for active duty are not counted toward the reserve time requirements for these Air Force medals and ribbons.
The main difference between the Air Force’s regular Good Conduct Medal and the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal is the former is only issued for active duty service while the later is bestowed only for time spent practicing reserve duties like drill and annual training.

The Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal is positioned below the active duty Good Conduct Medal, and occupies the bottom position in the order of precedence governing the placement of all Air Force mounted medals and ribbons for official display on uniforms of Air Force personnel. Additional awards are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters.

The Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal is generally available as an Air Force medal or ribbon and a lapel pin. These Air Force decorations can be worn as slide-on military medals and ribbons or the newer thin mini-medals, and mounted military ribbons that have gained such wide-spread acclaim from military personnel who desire to maximize the smartness of their uniform appearance.