Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal

The Army was the last branch of military service to add a Reserve Good Conduct Medal to the growing list of the medals of America, when in1972 they created the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal. These Army ribbons and medals were originally awarded to active members in the Army Reserve or the National Guard for four years of honorable service. Twenty-three years after establishing these Army medals and ribbons, in March of 1995, the Army changed the qualifying period for these military ribbons by reducing it to three years. This service must be free of disciplinary action and any periods of active mobilization are not credited toward the reserve time requirement. These US military medals and ribbons are only awarded to enlisted soldiers, warrant officers, and commissioned officers in the grade of Colonel or below.
The main difference between the Army’s regular Good Conduct Medal and the Reserve Components Achievement Medal is the former is only issued for active duty service while the later is bestowed for reserve duties like practicing drill and annual training. These military medals and ribbons are positioned below the active duty Good Conduct Medal, and occupy the bottom position in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all Army medals and military ribbons. Additional awards are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters.