It was established on 23 February 2005[1] as a more rewarding successor of an earlier Medal of Military Merit (created in 1988) and is awarded to members of the Belgian Armed Forces and civilians working for the Belgian Defence who show an exemplary meritorious behaviour in the completion of their duties or who have accomplished an exemplary meritorious act.

The original Medal for Military Merit was created in 1988 by ministerial decree and awarded internally within the Ministry of Defence.

[4] Therefore a new Meritorious Service Medal with a slightly different official name was created in its place in 2005, that was to be awarded by the King of Belgium.

The meritorious service medal may be awarded to military and civilian personnel of non-Belgian armed forces when they have collaborated exceptionally with and provided extraordinary support to the Belgian Defence.

The original Medal for Military Merit had the same design and hung from the same ribbon as the new one, only the statute differs.