Executive Order 13013: Amending Executive Order No. 10163, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal
President: Bill Clinton
Expanded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal beyond long service to recognize qualifying mobilization and voluntary operational service after August 1, 1990.
Status: In effect.
Is Executive Order 13013 still in effect? Yes. Active amendment reflected in current military-awards policy.
What does Executive Order 13013 do?
EO 13013 replaced sections 3 and 4 of EO 10163. It retained eligibility for ten years of honorable reserve service within twelve consecutive years and added two paths: being called to qualifying active duty, or volunteering for active duty in a Defense-designated operation or contingency, on or after August 1, 1990. It also authorized appurtenances showing whether the medal was earned through service, mobilization or voluntary operational support and allowed additional devices for later qualifying periods.
Before and after
Before the order
The medal principally recognized sustained honorable reserve service under the earlier order.
After the order
Reservists could also qualify through specified mobilization or voluntary operational service.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Military departments | Apply the three eligibility paths | Under awards regulations |
| Defense Secretary | Designate qualifying voluntary operations or contingencies | As appropriate |
| Awards authorities | Issue the appropriate appurtenances | For qualifying service |
What happened next
EO 10163 established the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
The amendment’s operational-service eligibility date began.
EO 13013 expanded criteria and devices.
Current Defense awards guidance continued to implement the medal.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The medal is an executive military decoration administered through service regulations. Eligibility for separate statutory benefits depends on the governing benefit law, not receipt of the medal alone.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- GovInfo — EO 13013 (opens in a new tab) Order text
- Defense Department — military awards manual (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 14, 2026. How we research →