The Meritorious Service Medal is presented in recognition of meritorious service of a single, particularly important achievement, a career notable for accomplishments in technical or professional fields or unusually high-quality and initiative in leadership. The level of accomplishment meriting this award may include: a highly significant achievement in research program direction or program administration; a series of significant contributions; a continuing period of meritorious service; or exhibition of great courage in hazardous work in an emergency.