Following the end of hostilities, in order to reward their volunteerism during training periods, a decree of 13 May 1934[3] created the "Cross for voluntary military service" (French: "Croix des services militaires volontaires") in three grades, bronze, silver and gold.

This first incarnation of a truly reserve award was rather short lived being replaced on 22 March 1957 with the "Order of military merit" (French: "Ordre du mérite militaire") at the request of the "Union Nationale des Officiers de Réserve" (English: "National Union of Reserve Officers").

[3] For award to a member of the regular army, this service must have been carried out outside of normal working hours and for no pay.

[3] These "TS" can come from different levels of the chain of command and as such, are worth more or less:[3] The conditions for award of each grade of the Medal for voluntary military service are: Decree 96-390 of 10 May 1996 added foreign reservists as potential recipients of any of the three grades of the medal, at the sole discretion of the minister of defence, for having rendered particularly honourable services to the defence of France or its armed forces.

[1] The reverse bears the relief image of a vertical sword superimposed over two crossed naval anchors themselves superimposed over air force wings, at the bottom along the medal circumference, the relief inscription "SERVICES MILITAIRES VOLONTAIRES" (English: "Voluntary Military Services").