The DMSM shall be awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense only to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after November 3, 1977, distinguished themselves by noncombat meritorious achievement or service. Only under the most unusual circumstances will the DMSM be awarded as an impact award for outstanding TDY achievement. The DMSM is specifically intended to recognize exceptionally meritorious service performance and to honor an individual's accomplishments over a sustained period.

The eagle is symbolic of the United States; the pentagon shape alludes to the Department of Defense, and the laurel wreath represents achievement. The colors, crimson and white, are duplicates of the colors of the Legion of Merit ribbon. Bluebird is the color associated with the Department of Defense