It rewards particularly honourable service rendered by military personnel for their participation in operational activities.

Points are earned through participation in exercises, operations, proficiency, initiative, awards received, etc.

The medal can be awarded in any one of the three levels to: When an individual is mentioned in dispatches (citation dans les ordres) for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.

He or she is awarded the Médaille de la Défense Nationale at the Gold level, adorned with a ribbon device (bronze, silver, silver gilt star or bronze palm) depending on the level (regiment, brigade, division, army) of the mention, in the same manner as for the Croix de Guerre.

The reverse bears the relief image of a Phrygian cap over a laurel branch and the inscription along the medal circumference in the upper half "ARMY" and "NATION", in the lower half "NATIONAL DEFENSE" (French: "ARMÉE" "NATION" "DÉFENSE NATIONALE"), the upper and lower inscriptions being separated by a relief five pointed star on each side[1] The medal hangs from a ring through the medal's suspension loop.