the medal of the award is an oxidized finish silver plated disc, in diameter. on the obverse in the center is the coat of arms of the air force as found on the flag of the united states air force. the reverse of the medal is inscribed "to", with a space for engraving a name, and "for meritorious civilian service to the department of the air force". the edge on both sides is surrounded by a laurel wreath. the medal is suspended from a brittany blue ribbon wide with a wide central stripe of air force yellow, equally divided by three width stripes of ultramarine blue.