Qualifying criteria
Reserve personnel shall be eligible for award of the VRSM after 10 years reckonable service in the Reserve Forces, provided that they have earned training bounty as required by their obligatory training commitment as defined in individual service regulations in 9 out of the 10 qualifying years.
Up to 5 years former regular service may count as half qualifying time, giving a maximum of 2 and a half years eligible service. Complex regulations apply to the use of former service and periods of Full Time Regular Service (FTRS) as qualifying time towards the VRSM and the regulations should therefore be studied in detail. Complex regulations also apply to the transition between the former separate service reserve medals and the VRSM.
Any additional period of 5 years reckonable service shall merit award of the Clasp to the VRSM.
Full details are laid out in DCI JS 53/99 and, also for the RAUXAF, AP3392 Vol 7 Leaflet 702 Annex B.