The Medal "For Distinction in Military Service" was a 38mm wide five pointed convex star.
 Five shields bearing the emblems of the main branches of the service filled the gaps between its arms.
 The obverse bore a central concave medallion bearing the relief images of a soldier, sailor and airman.
 The central medallion was framed by a ring bearing the relief inscription "For Distinction in Military Service" (Russian: «За отличие в воинской службе») on the sides and top, at the bottom of the ring, two laurel branches.
 The plain reverse only bore the mark of the Moscow Mint "MMD" (Russian: «ММД») at the bottom.

The medal was secured to a 29,5mm wide by 27,5mm square mount by a ring through the suspension loop.
The mount was covered by a red silk moiré ribbon with two 3mm green stripes located 3mm from the ribbon edges.

The medal first class, the metallic parts of its ribbon mount and the star device on its ribbon were made of brass.
 The medal second class, the metallic parts of its ribbon mount and the star device on its ribbon were made of cupronickel.
The Medal "For Distinction in Military Service" was a 38mm wide five pointed convex star.  Five shields bearing the emblems of the main branches of the service filled the gaps between its arms.  The obverse bore a central concave medallion bearing the relief images of a soldier, sailor and airman.  The central medallion was framed by a ring bearing the relief inscription "For Distinction in Military Service" (Russian: «За отличие в воинской службе») on the sides and top, at the bottom of the ring, two laurel branches.  The plain reverse only bore the mark of the Moscow Mint "MMD" (Russian: «ММД») at the bottom.
The medal was secured to a 29,5mm wide by 27,5mm square mount by a ring through the suspension loop. The mount was covered by a red silk moiré ribbon with two 3mm green stripes located 3mm from the ribbon edges.
The medal first class, the metallic parts of its ribbon mount and the star device on its ribbon were made of brass.  The medal second class, the metallic parts of its ribbon mount and the star device on its ribbon were made of cupronickel.
Medal "For Distinction in Military Service"