In commemoration of the Reserve Forces Policy Board's 50th Anniversary in 2002, the Board established the Citizen Patriot Awards for Distinguished Service to recognize both individuals and units.

The Citizen Patriot Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service to the Reserve Components at the national level. The recipient will have made a substantial contribution to the nation's defense and to national security. Recipients will have demonstrated a quantifiable and recognizable pattern of excellence over a lifetime.

The Citizen Patriot Unit Award is intended for units organized to serve the nation. The recipient unit will have made a substantial contribution to the security and/or defense posture of the United States of America in a manner worthy of recognition at the national level and will have demonstrated a quantifiable and recognizable pattern of excellence.

2002 Individual Award: Honorable John O. Marsh Jr. Unit Award: Woman Air Service Pilots of World War II

2003 Individual Award: Honorable G. V. "Sonny" Montgomery Unit

Award: "The First Shot Club" Veterans USS Ward (DD 139)
 
2004 Individual Award: Honorable Melvin R. Laird

Unit Award: Bataan Death March Units, 200th

Mexico National Guard

and 515th Coast Artillery New 
 
2005 Individual Award: General John W. Vessey Jr.  Unit Award: Montford Point Marines 

2010 Individual Award: The Honorable Robert Dole; Mr Terrence O'Connell

Unit Award: 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine  Division, Marine Forces Reserve

2011 Individual Award: The Honorable John S. McCain Unit Award: Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84, Marine Forces Reserve