The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps all have a reserve component that compliments them. These forces are exactly how they are titled, a reserve force that can augment and/or support the primary active force.
Given their unique role in the military, reservists are eligible for medals that are available only to members of their specific component. For example, the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal is presented to enlisted members of the U.S. Air Force Reserve for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a four-year period. It is basically the Air Force Reserve’s version of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. The Army Reserve has a good conduct-like medal as well. The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal is a Good Conduct Medal that is issued to a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. The medal requires that a reservist complete three years of honorable service as an active member of a reserve unit. The medal may be awarded to all enlisted soldiers, warrant and commissioned officers up to and including the grade of colonel.
The Marine Forces Reserve has the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal that recognizes members of the Marine Corps Reserve who have met specific service requirements. To be eligible for this medal, Marine reservists must have attended at least 90 percent of all scheduled drills in a year for three consecutive years.
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a service medal that recognizes service performed by members of the reserve components (all branches) and is awarded to both officers and enlisted personnel. The medal is considered a successor award to the Naval Reserve Medal and the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon.
When the Armed Forces Reserve Medal is awarded for periods of service, it includes an hourglass device. Depending on the length of service, a bronze, silver, gold, or bronze and gold hourglass are worn on the suspension ribbon and service ribbon, indicating 10, 20, 30, or 40 years of service. If the reservist or National Guard member is mobilized, the medal gets an "M" device.
The various service branches also have awards that reflect if an individual has completed training overseas or deployed on the seas as reservists.