[5][6][7] The initiator of the introduction of the new award was the Minister of Defense of the USSR, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Andrei Grechko.

[6] The order had three degrees and was intended to reward military personnel of the Soviet Army, Soviet Navy, border guard and internal troops “for successes achieved in combat and political training, maintaining high combat readiness of troops and mastering new military equipment, for high performance in official activities, for the successful completion of special command tasks”, as well as in other cases determined by the statute.

On April 21, 1992, the Congress of People's Deputies of Russia approved the renaming, making appropriate amendments to the Constitution of the RSFSR, which came into force upon publication on May 16, 1992.

2424-1, before the adoption of the law on state awards, some insignia that existed in the USSR were retained in the award system of Russia, but the Order "For Service to the Homeland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" was not among them entered[8][9] In accordance with presidential decree of 2 March 1994 No.

[15] The Order "For Military Merit" may be awarded to employees of the military–industrial complex of the Russian Federation, of scientific and research organizations or government agencies: for services in design, manufacture and commissioning of modern military equipment and weapons; for personal contributions to national defence policies, development of military science, in strengthening national defence and in promoting interstate military-technical cooperation.

[4] The Order "For Military Merit" is a 40 millimetres (1.6 in) wide silver and enamelled eight pointed star.

The four diagonal points of the star being enamelled in the national colours of Russia, white, blue and red.

The obverse has a central red enamelled medallion with the silver state emblem of Russia in the center.