General:  The Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States (MOFW) Awards Program was instituted by resolution at the 11th MOFW National Triennial Convention and was primarily concerned with presentations at the US Military Academy and the US Naval Academy.  The first awards were made in1929.  The US Coast Guard Academy was added to the program in1941, followed by the US Air Force Academy in 1957, and the US Merchant Marine Academy in1999.  During the late 1920s and 1930s resolutions were made to support and encourage the Citizens Military Training Corps (now defunct) and the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) movements throughout the country.  This gave rise to the awards of medals by resolution of the 1973 Convention by which state Commanderies could select and present ROTC medals.  With the increase in interest of Junior ROTC in high schools, these programs were included in the MOFW Awards Program.

Medals:  The MOFW issues two ROTC/JROTC Medals – Silver for Academics and Bronze for Leadership.  The medal is a circular medal containing the Seal of the Order and is suspended by a ribbon of the Order’s colors.  The reverse side of the medal is blank and may be used to inscribe the recipient’s name and presentation date.  The medal is also presented with a MOFW service ribbon and, beginning in 2008, is accompanied by a copy of the History of the Order.  A ROTC/JROTC Certificate (ROTC MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD) is available to accompany the medal.  All items are carried in stock by the Order’s Quartermaster-General.

To read the latest award recipients, please check out the MOFW Newsletter to read about each year's ROTC/JROTC Award Recipients!

Beginning in 2007, the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States (MOFW) participates in the annual Arlington National Cemetery Veterans Day Memorial Service at the grave site of General of the Armies, John J. “Blackjack” Pershing, in Section 34 on a rise with many graves of World War I soldiers.  The event is sponsored annually by the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW) and features the United States Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”).  The Wreath Laying Ceremony includes military representatives of WWI allies of the United States and several veterans’ organizations.