Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to a soldier whom while in active Federal Military duty set himself/herself apart from his/her comrades by exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a set time of uninterrupted enlisted active Federal military service. Every three years served after 27 August 1940 meets the criteria for a qualifying period of service. For the first award only, if separated before three years, the Good Conduct Medal can be awarded when a minimum on one year is completed, or for one who died in the line of duty before finishing one year of active Federal Military duty. The award must be sanctioned by the immediate commander and must be proclaimed in permanent orders.
Active Guard Reserve personnel are eligible for the Good Conduct Medal as of 1 September 1982. The qualification time of Active Guard Reserve may begin at a time during the three years just before 1 September 1982 as long as no part of that time of service was included in a time for which the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal was awarded.
