Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal. Illustrated by Virginia Reyes of the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio. This award was originally established as a ribbon bar by the secretary of the Air Force on April 1, 1964 and was amended on May 1, 1973, when the medal was created. It is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a four-year period while serving in an enlisted status in the Air Force Reserve.