Its statute was amended on three occasions, by decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 22, 1968,[2] of December 19, 1969,[3] and of July 18, 1980.

[4] The Jubilee Medal "50 Years of the Armed Forces of the USSR" was awarded to marshals, generals, admirals, officers and warrant officers, sergeants, soldiers and sailors in the service on February 23, 1968 as part of the Soviet Army, Navy, troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, KGB troops, the Council of Ministers of the USSR; cadets and students of military educational institutions of the Soviet Army, Navy, of the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, of the troops of the KGB; marshals, generals, admirals and officers discharged from active military service, in the reserve or retired that have seniority in the Soviet Army, Navy, in troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the army or state security organs, in the Council of Ministers of the USSR, of 20 or more years; Heroes of the Soviet Union and individuals awarded the Order of Glory in all three classes.

[3] The medal was awarded on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR by commanders of military units, agencies and institutions.

On the obverse in the background, a laurel and oak wreath around the entire circumference of the medal with rays extending outwards from the center.

On the reverse in the top half, the relief outline of a five-pointed star with at its center, a hammer and a plough; below the star, the relief inscription in three rows: "FIFTY YEARS ARMED FORCES USSR" (Russian: «ПЯТЬДЕСЯТ ЛЕТ ВООРУЖЕННЫХ СИЛ СССР»).