Posted on Nov 10, 2015
Organizations that count towards the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
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I am currently deployed and had been looking for ways to kill time in a productive manner; I have already maxed my PT and correspondence courses, am participating in college courses. I found out on our base that there was a newly established USO; problem was they could never really stay open because it received no funding nor volunteers/USO workers. I have since helped run the place and have over 300 hours there in a little over 3 months. I was wondering if the service there would count towards the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, being that in a deployed area the USO is frequented by not just military members but by civilians and contractors as well. I don't mind the work; if it counts and I hit the 500 hours I will still continue to work there, but if it does not count I will still work there as well. Just looking for any sort of guidance in the matter.
Posted 9 y ago
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In short, it is a commander's call.
In order to justify award, the volunteerism is supposed to support the military community or reflect positively on the military service. This is entirely subjective, so you'll need to check with your local battalion-level commander.
One requirement a lot of people miss is the need to keep a log of hours and volunteer activities you do, and have it verified by the organization you volunteer for. A letter from them will help greatly with the write-up as well.
In order to justify award, the volunteerism is supposed to support the military community or reflect positively on the military service. This is entirely subjective, so you'll need to check with your local battalion-level commander.
One requirement a lot of people miss is the need to keep a log of hours and volunteer activities you do, and have it verified by the organization you volunteer for. A letter from them will help greatly with the write-up as well.
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SSG (Join to see)
1SG I agree with you, the regulation says though 3 years, or 500 hours. I have volunteered as a coach for Special Olympics for 5 years now, and I am trying to get my ducks in a row to submit my MOSV. I also volunteered to coach buddy sports, which is a branch of the special Olympics, I hope I have enough. I have coaching certificates, and I am going to get a memorandum from Special Olympics signed.
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SMSgt Billy Cesarano
Negative, a commander endorsement, while a good idea, is not necessarily required. The individual need only provide the qualifying documentation to the unit awards and decs office. It is the fastest award I have ever submitted. There are several organizations that automatically qualify after 3 years of volunteer service such as the Civil Air Patrol or 500 hrs at your local Red Cross.
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Check the unit awards SOP to see what the Commanders guidance is. I am not trying to bash you with this question: Where are you deployed that you have this much extra time?
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SGT (Join to see)
Currently in Kabul. I will typically do 5-6 hours every night after I leave the office.
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Hats off to your effort in volunteering so many hours with the USO while deployed, kudos!
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