Introduced in 1969, the MSM was long awarded as a decoration for peacetime
achievement. Since 2004, it has also been bestowed in lieu of the Bronze Star
Medal for meritorious achievement in a designated combat theater.[5]
Normally, the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required
for the Legion of Merit but in a duty of lesser, though considerable,
responsibility. A higher award and decoration, the Defense Meritorious
Service Medal (DMSM), is intended for similar services performed under joint
duty within the United States Department of Defense, including the Joint
Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, and joint task forces under their
cognizance. The Meritorious Service Medal is given to all ranks for meritorious
service in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Space Force.
It may be awarded for meritorious performance while serving in a staff
position as a field grade officer, senior chief warrant officer, or senior non-
commissioned officer, or, in the case of field grade officers, for successful
completion of a command tour at the battalion (Army) or squadron (Army, Air
Force, or Space Force) level. It is rarely awarded to officers in pay grades O-1
through O-3 (second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain), junior warrant
officers and chief warrant officers in pay grades W-1 and W-2 (WO1 and CW2,
Army only), and junior NCOs in pay grades E-6 and below.