Service Medal (how it works, what it does, Q and A)

In this guide i will show everyone how the service medal works. ive looked at many guides and most of them are very confusing to me or lack information so i decide to make this one to help everyone understand it more. This guide also gets periodically updated to keep this guide relevant which means that there is a chance that this isnt all true, if its wrong please tell me. Your question may just help the entire csgo community! Please dont come to this guide to post bulls**t gambling ads. I will remove it and report your profile. Thank you

HELLO

Hello!

In this guide I will do my best to explain everything I know about how the service medal works, what it does, and what happens afterwards. I also have a Q and A at the end. Your question might be there so check it out first if you just need to check over something. READY LETS GO!!!!

How do I get my first service medal?

How do you get a Service medal?

You can get a service medal once you hit rank 40. You can hit Rank 40 by earning XP. XP is earned by playing on offical valve servers. You can play any gammode but if you want to get alot of XP fast then I would recomend playing competitive because you need a total of 5000XP to rank up, You earn about 480XP each time you play competitive without multipliers. Other gamemodes will give you very little XP. If you started playing the game and havent gotten a service medal then you will need to reach rank 2 before you can play competitive.

How does the multiplier work?

The Multiplier is basically the key for ranking up. The multiplier will multiply your XP earned in a full match in any offical gamemode. Just so everyones clear the multiplier DOES NOT add XP, it multiplys XP. like 5x8=40 or 10x10=100.

so all you need to do is some simple math. 5000XP X 39 Ranks that you get XP from= 195,000XP
(I didnt add rank 1 to the equation because you dont get XP there) You need a total of 195,000XP to get to rank 40 and get a service medal.

Multipliers are automatically given to all players to use on any official gamemode and resets every week.
for more information regarding when it resets, please visit the Q&A
(not because im lazy....or anything.... it just doesnt work with the flow of this section!!)

What does the Service Medal do?

The Service Medal works like a coin (Payback, Bravo, Phoenix, Breakout, Vanguard, Bloodhound, WIldfire, Hydra, and any future coins). You can equip it in the display menu and you will get a symbol beside your CS:GO profile. you can also inspect it.



See at the top left I have a service metal icon there, that is because I equipped it in the display menu

What do I do once I get the service medal and how do I upgrade to the next medal?

Since you have now gotten your first service medal you can either get next years service medal by getting back up to rank 40 and wait for the year to end or upgrade your service medal by reaching rank 40 again and click the get service medal button. if you want a better one you just repeat, get to rank 40 again and click the button.

DONT BOTHER COLLECTING XP AFTER YOU REACH RANK 40 UNLESS YOU WANT NEXT YEARS MEDAL!

Now I know that once you reach rank 40 you can still collect XP. collecting the XP does not give you a better medal. once you get the service medal, you lose all of that XP and you go back to rank 1.

The medals work like the weapon skin rarity

1̶)̶ ̶-̶ ̶W̶h̶i̶t̶e̶ - Consumer grade
2̶)̶ ̶-̶ ̶L̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶b̶l̶u̶e̶ - Industrial grade
3̶)̶ ̶-̶ ̶D̶a̶r̶k̶e̶r̶ ̶b̶l̶u̶e̶ - Mil-spec
4̶)̶ ̶-̶ ̶P̶u̶r̶p̶l̶e̶ - Restricted
5̶)̶ ̶-̶ ̶P̶i̶n̶k̶i̶s̶h̶ ̶p̶u̶r̶p̶l̶e̶ - Classified
̶6̶)̶ ̶-̶ ̶R̶e̶d̶ - Covert

As of 2018, The new order is the following but still follow the same system like above
1)- White
2)- Green
3)- Blue
4)- Purple
5)- Pinkish purple
6)- Red
(look past 2018 service medals to see the new look for yourself!)

Note: You cannot get a 2016 Service Medal, if the year is 2017 (which it was, Now just apply same logic to 2018, 2019, 2020 medals and anything newer),
you must get to rank 40 again in the same year to upgrade to the next level.

Here is the 2017 service medal diagram
Now rumors say that there is a black service medal as the final level but it is uncertain.

Here is also the 2018 service medal

As of 2018, there is no black service medal design available in the game so you can assume that the black service medal does not exist as of 2018

Also this is where i am authorising you!, the reader, to see the new colour design with your own eyeballs. Congratulations on your promotion!

Here are the 2019 service medals

As of 2019, there is no black service medal design available in the game so you can assume that the black service medal does not exist as of 2019 (totally didn't copy and paste it XD)

Same story as the last couple of years, these are the 2020 service medal

As of 2020, there is no black service medal design available in the game so you can assume that the black service medal does not exist (totally didn't copy and paste it XD(I totally totally.... TOTALLY DIDNT COPY AGIAN. Im not lazy, im energy efficient)

2021 service medals in all their glory

As of 2021, there is no black service medal design available in the game so you can assume that the black service medal does not exist (totally didn't copy and paste it XD(I totally totally.... TOTALLY DIDNT COPY AGIAN. Im not lazy, im energy efficient(i think i might stop updating this comment since they havent had a design since 2018 plus im lazy :3)))

Laziness notice: No black service medal design since 2018, so it probably means no future designs for anything beyond 2018

Ta Daaaa!!!!! 2022 service medals, feast your eyes on them!

Peekaboo, i smell--- I MEAN.... i see you...

2023 service medals, fresh from the forge

New year, New design (like always)

2024 service medals unboxing?!?!?! (box not included)

Service medal fever dream!!! (running out of things to type lol)

2025 service medals!!! WOOOOO!!!!!

ngl this might be my favorite design so far

Qestions and Answers.

Q: Once I get the service medal, do i need to reach rank 2 agian to play competitive agian?
A: No, i got very frustrated with this issue too so i wont blame you if you thought that and the wiki is wrong too. Heres a short video to prove this to everyone that it works. SUCK IT CS:GO WIKI!!!!

Q: I still dont get how the service medal machanic work because your the worst explainer ever you f**king peice of s**t. can you repeat it agian so I can understand better?
A: So the service medal works like this. everytime you reach rank 40, you get a service medal. collecting XP when your rank 40 DOES NOT improve your medal. its everytime you reach rank 40 you get a upgraded medal if you got another medal in the same year. (2016 white medal to 2016 light blue medal)

Q: Can i lose my service medal?
A: No you cant lose your service medal. The only way i can think of is if you deleted your steam account, since it is "linked" to your account only

Q: Will my rank reset each year?
A: no it wont. AGIAN SUCK IT CS:GO WIKI!!!!!

Q: does my skill group affect the medal I will get?
A: no, it wont make sense anyways. imagine this senario. There are 2 soldiers. 1 is a general, the other is a officer. if 2 soldiers went into the same battle and did the same thing would the general get better badges? no they will both get the same badge.

Q: Can I get multiple service medal?
A: I currently have 2 service medal in my inventory so yes but this will only work if the medals are from diffrent years like 2016 service medal vs. 2017 service medal. They wont work if its the same year.

Q:Does the XP amount of 195,000 increase when i get a medal or when im upgrading to a better medal?
A:No, it will stay the same no matter what medal you own and should continue to stay the same in the future (unless valve decided BS should become their motto)

Q: Why does my XP gain decreases due to my multiplier?
A: Well, basically, you played too much CSGO. Now I know thats no answer and or advice so ill make it simple. If you didnt know why your addicted to mobile games. LISTEN UP THIS WILL EXPLAIN IT. As most people know games like Castle Crushers, Fallout Shelter, Candy Crush and more all have a cooldown when you do something like building a new Bank or playing 1 more round. The cooldown is to basically trick you into playing the game more and more because you want to advance in the game. Mobile Games that dont have this method in place quickly makes you lose interest because you can play it wheneverr you feel like it. For CSGO this is somewhat like this, since your on this guide you want the service medal or know how it works. well having a reduced mulipler means the game is telling you to chill out and do something else or else we wont reward you as much. Its also hooking you into playing CSGO more because you want to rank up and you want to get that virtually shiny medal. After 1 week (depending on how despreate you want the medal) your like a hobo that did cocaine 2 days ago. Your multipler resets and you jump back into game and get rewarded for coming back and doing buisness. Its a good system and most people dont know this so yeah. NOW YOUR AWARE!!!! (also this is basically my theory since there is NO INFORMATION about why the multiplier is reduced, I used my knowledge to form this so im sorry if some of this doesent make any sense, also sorry for making you read all that considering you actually did :D)

Q: When does my multiplier reset so I can get my weekly bonuses?
A: For what I currently know, The multiplier will reset depending on your country. it should reset at 02:00 for 24 hour clock (or 2 am) in the Greenwich Mean time (GMT) on a Wednesday.
Since i know that this may be tough for you to do ill be kind enough to guide you through the process in obtaining your local time for when it should reset, If you use google (which im pretty sure you do). Type "2am GMT". It should track your exact position and tell you what time that will be for you (all hail skynet). Im pretty sure this will work on other browsing sites like bing or yahoo but if your not sure then just use google. (side note, check to see if it is actually on a Wednesday for you, it should specify on the top grey area if your using google. If its not right, then just use one of the many website converters from GMT to your time (which another side note, the way you find your time is simply typing "My time zone" in google))
(thanks 3SemiN8 for correcting the actual time changes)

Q: Why you silver noob?
A: Solo queue and Ranking system f**ks me everyday. thats why...

Q: Why do you hate the wiki so much?
A: its out of date and its wrong so they might change some stuff if they see this :D
(also since this guide has 5 stars and has gained quite a bit of influence, it probably has changed the landscape surrounding this topic (like search up "service medal csgo" on google, its the first result XD)

Q: Why is your grammar s**t?
A: I dont really care about grammar. i just want everyone to understand the service medal better. it doesent mean anything if all the grammers perfect but all the actual facts are all lies or just incorrect. (like some guides on this subject *cough* *cough*)
(I would like to thank Neo Wesker as he became my english teacher for spotting "grammer" and relizing its sappose to be "grammar" :D)

HOPE THIS HELPED YOU!!!!

Well this will conclude my guide. I hoped this helped you out. please leave a thumbs up and share with anyone you believe is worthy of knowing.

Special thanks to King_Adi and Narwhal™ for asking and assisting me in answering the Multiplier and how it works and why the multipler decreases your XP gain.

[sirdoge]

nice work on this

[coolkid2137]

Hi VYKE, you should still be able to claim the service medal for 2025 as long as you have a high enough rank. If you are not rank 40 right now, you need to get to at least rank 40 for that button to pop up

The time of when you claim the service medal does not matter as long as you claim it within the calendar year

[VYKE]

Hey guys I didn't able to claim the 2025 service medal in january 1st and I started back online in january 12 I check the profile there is no claim service medal I saw on my profile.

Does this mean if i fail to claim it in jan 1st i wouldn't get the 2025 service medal and my xp on grinding the game wont be counted?

[Ginger Psycho]

are there still services to afk account and gain exp to get red service medal ?

[coolkid2137]

Hey advokaiser. I cant answer that question since i have only ever gotten the white medal and that was back in 2016 and 2017 but my guess is that some people do have the medals beyond blue. I dont remember who it was but i once saw someone with a purple medal in his steam inventory so it is "possible" but it isnt realistic for most people to do

[Advokaiser]

Hey, thanks for the guide! I just have one question...

Is it even humanly possible to get anything past the blue upgraded medal?

I mean, considering you can only gain so much EXP each week before the multiplier starts reducing it considerably —and that you need to wait for next week's reset if you want the multiplier to be on your side again—, I just can't fathom anyone being able to realistically get a purple, pink, and especially red badge.

I managed to barely earn a blue medal at the end of 2023 by playing several hours daily from January to December. It seems I'll be barely missing out on 2024's blue medal, even if I grinded like crazy for the time remaining.

This means that, if 2023 was a 24-month-long year, I'd just be barely missing a RED badge from that year right now. And this is considering I have over 3k hours in the game since December 2022!

[Parker]

https://x.com/ThourCS2/status/1869563311261671709

[coolkid2137]

Hi Swiner55, apologies for the super late reply. It will display the date in which you updated the medal or whenever you get next years medal since it will count as a new item

[coolkid2137]

Will do Parker! No news yet on what the 2025 service medals will look like but will update ASAP!

[Parker]

Hey bro u gotta update for the new medals