Membership in the Military Order of the Carabao is open to commissioned officers of any of the armed forces who have served, either as an officer or an enlisted person, under one of the following classifications:
Veteran Carabao: Having served in the Philippines between May 1, 1898, and July 4, 1913, or December 6, 1941, and July 4, 1946.
Amphibious Carabao: Having served west of the International Date Line incident to the liberation of the Philippines between December 6, 1941, and July 4, 1946.
Companero Carabao: Having served in the Philippines between July 4, 1913, and December 6, 1941, or subsequent to July 6, 1946.
Expedicionario Carabao: Having served west of the International Date Line in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas, with service in the following regional campaigns: Occupation of North China (September 30, 1945, to May 27, 949) and Japan (August 30, 1945, to July 2, 1946); Korean War (June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953); Vietnam Conflict (April 15, 1963, to May 7, 1975).
Associate Carabao: Having been an accredited war correspondents, serving with any of the forces engaged in liberating the Philippines.
Tenero Carabao: A descendant, over twenty-one years of age, regardless of military service, of any member, or a person who is, or was, eligible to be a member. Eligibility passes to a nephew of a member failing a male descendant.
Honorary Carabao: Conferred upon the President of the United States, Governors Generals of the Philippines, or those who have served as such.