MyMilitaryMedals.com Blog
United States Air Force Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
January 31st 2011 - 2:28 pm
Whenever you hear of an honor graduate you should consider yourself in good company. Both the Air Force and the Coast Guard offer Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbons for exceptional recruits who graduate at the top of their basic training classes. The Air Force was the first to create these US military medals by order of the Air Force Chief of Staff back in April of 1976, and the Coast Guard did not follow suit with their version of these medals of America until March of 1984. Winning one of these awards at the very start of a military career creates an auspicious beginning for any cadet. These Air Force ribbons are bestowed upon those Air Force service members who have obtained an honor graduate designation and demonstrate excellence in all areas of academic and military training. An airman must achieve the "Thunderbolt" physical fitness level during the final AFBMT physical fitness test. Lacking this achievement, the airman is ineligible no matter how well he or she performed in other areas of basic training. Additionally, the airman must average over a 90 percent on all the written examinations, and never fail a graded inspection (graded inspections are conducted randomly after week #3). Finally, the airman must also never receive a negative mark in his or her written evaluations. The number of airmen to receive this award is limited to no more than ten percent of the flight. Those exceptional airmen who receive this award are entitled to wear these military ribbons for the rest of their Air Force Careers. The Air Force has no corresponding military medals for these ribbon awards, and although they are placed near the bottom of military awards in the order of precedence, they are still highly prized by their recipients. The Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon is not awarded retroactively, and due to the one-time-only nature of graduating from basic training, there are no provisions for additional awards. These military ribbons are worn below the Air Force Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, and above the Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all Air Force military awards. The Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon is available as a traditional slide-on military ribbon and a lapel pin. This award is not available as a military medal only a ribbon.
Air Force PME Ribbon (training)
January 29th 2011 - 3:39 pm
Both the Air Force and the Army offer a Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon. The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have no equivalent medals of America. These US military medals honor those non-commissioned officers who have completed a prescribed leadership course at an NCO training school. The Air Force version of these military medals is called the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon. These Air Force ribbons are presented to airmen for completion of prescribed NCO development programs. The Air Force programs include Airman Leadership School, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, and the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy courses. The Air Force does not offer military medals which are equivalent to these Air Force ribbons. Additional awards of the Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters. These military ribbons are worn below the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and above the Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all Air Force military medals and ribbons. There are many awards that are presented to many military members that are only awarded as a service ribbon and these traing ribbons fall into this catagory.
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
January 28th 2011 - 9:29 am
The Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon was first issued in August of 1981, at the same time as three other Army Training Accomplishment Ribbons were added to the medals of America. These US military medals are only presented to the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. These Army ribbons are awarded to all members of the drilling reserves who complete ten or more consecutive days of active duty for training outside the contiguous United States. Under certain fairly rare circumstances, these military ribbons may be awarded for duty that can also earn other medals of America simultaneously. Additional awards of the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon are denoted by Award Numerals. These military ribbons are worn below the Army Overseas Service Ribbon and above the Philippine Defense Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. These military ribbons are generally available as Army ribbons and lapel pins.
The Army Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR)
January 27th 2011 - 9:18 pm
The Army Overseas Service Ribbon was first issued by the department of the Army in August of 1981. These US military medals are presented to members of the United States Army who complete a standard overseas tour of duty. These military medals and ribbons may be awarded for the performance of the same duty as other authorized medals of America reward in other branches of the United States military. The Army also issues an Overseas Service Bar which is an entirely different decoration from the Overseas Service Ribbon. For those Army service members performing overseas duty prior to 1981, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon may be awarded retroactively, provided that a service member was on active duty subsequent to 1981. The Army does not offer medals as an award for the service rewarded by these Army ribbons. Additional awards of the Army Overseas Service Ribbon are denoted by Award Numerals. These Army awards are worn below the Army Service Ribbon and above the Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all Army medals and ribbons.
The Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
January 24th 2011 - 2:39 pm
The Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon joined the pantheon of the medals of America for a twenty year period of time between the dates of the December 17, 1945 and December 17, 1965. These Marine Corp ribbons were first created by the Secretary of the Navy and recognize those members of the Marine Corps Reserve who performed honorable reserve service. These US military medals were only available as service ribbons and they were presented to service members who performed ten years of reserve duty in an active drill status, and are not presented to members of the inactive reserves or Marine Corps reservists who are called to full time active duty. The Marine Corps Reserve ribbon was declared obsolete in 1967 and has been replaced since that date with the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. These military ribbons are worn below the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and are the least prestigious of the Marine personal achievement medals in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. Additional awards of these military decorations were denoted with Service Stars. The Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon is generally available as Marine Corp ribbons and lapel pins. They are generally available through commercial suppliers, though they are becoming increasingly rare since this original Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon is now obsolete.
The Navy Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon
January 22nd 2011 - 3:14 pm
Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal established the Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon and authorized it for issuance between 1930 and 1941 as one of the first Reserve awards in the annals of the medals of America. Due to the massive call-up of reserves for the WWII conflict, these Navy ribbons were discontinued after the attack on Pearl Harbor. If they had not been, they would have conflicted with similar active duty Navy medals the Navy issued. These US military medals were issued to any officer of the Naval Reserve who had served in the Naval Reserve for at least ten years, and who had commanded a Naval Reserve Battalion for a period exceeding four years. Nowadays, however, these Navy medals are no longer issued having been replaced with the Armed Forces Reserve Medal which generalized this award among all five branches of the United States military. The Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon was worn just below the Prisoner of War Medal and just above the Navy Good Conduct Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. These military ribbons were never awarded more than once, and consequently no devices were ever authorized for additional awards. The Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon is generally available as a Navy ribbon and a lapel pin among many forms. There are many variations to military ribbons, and medals, but this particular award is only awarded as a service ribbon.
The Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon
January 19th 2011 - 9:39 am
The Coast Guard restructed dyty ribbon is not awarded as a medal. This military ribbon was created in March of 1984, and it is another example of a unique military award given to only one branch of the United States military. These US military medals recognize personnel who have completed an unaccompanied duty tour. When service persons are assigned to a duty location where family members cannot join them, the duty status is known as unaccompanied. These medals of America honor standard, unaccompanied duty tours which are normally one to two years in length and occur in remote locations such as Greenland or the Arctic. The Restricted Duty Ribbon is awarded at the conclusion of the duty tour to honor this difficult service. These Coast Guard ribbons have no corresponding military medals. The Coast Guard is the only one of the five branches of service to offer these decorations for unaccompanied duty tours. Additional awards of the Restricted Duty Ribbon are denoted by bronze or silver Service Stars. These military ribbons are worn below the Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon and above the Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military awards. The Restricted Duty Ribbon is available as a lapel pin, and as a traditional slide on military ribbons.
The Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon
January 16th 2011 - 1:40 pm
This military ribbon is not awarded as a military medal, and is not authorized for wear in all of the other branches of military service. Air Force General Thomas White ordered the creation of the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon when he was Chief of Staff in 1957. These US military medals are unique to the Air Force branch of the American military services, and they are the Air Force equivalent to Service Stripes used in the other branches of the military to denote years of service. These medals of America are awarded to Air Force personnel serving in either the Active Reserve, or the Air National Guard for four years of drilling status service including regular attendance for weekend drills and annual training camps. These military ribbons are awarded to both officers and enlisted personnel, in contrast to service stripes which are only provided to enlisted members of the military. The Air Force does not offer corresponding military medals for this award. The Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon is worn below the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon and above the Military Training Instruction Ribbon in the general order of precedence established for the proper display of all Air Force ribbons and medals. The award is retroactive to the founding of the Air Force in 1947, and additional awards of the Air Force Longevity Service Award are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters.
The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
January 15th 2011 - 4:31 am
There are currently two versions of this military ribbon, one with the gold border, and one without. The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon was created in June of 2003, and is another unique award offered by the Air Force. These US military medals are bestowed upon any member of the Air Force who completes a standard contingency deployment. These medals of America represent either 45 consecutive days or 90 non-consecutive days in a deployed status. Temporary duty qualifies toward the 90 day requirement, but deployments exceeding the 45-90 day requirement for a single duty tour only qualify for a single issuance of this ribbon. The Air Force does not issue corresponding military medals in association with this award. A Gold Frame is available for these military ribbons for service members who serve in official combat zones while deployed, whether they participate in actual combat or not. This Gold Frame is a one-time decoration regardless of the number of combat operations in which a service member may be involved. The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border may also be awarded to certain "over-the horizon" combat assignments, such as remotely piloted vehicle operators for employing a long-range weapon into a combat zone. Such personnel, however, must have first earned the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon before these Air Force ribbons can be upgraded with a Gold Frame. The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon is worn below the Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon and above the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon in the general order of precedence that the Air Force has established for the proper display of all of its military medals and ribbons. This award is only given as a service ribbon and there is not an accompaning military medal.
Overseas Long Tour Ribbon (Air Force)
January 14th 2011 - 10:21 am
The United states Air Force awardes two ribbons for iverseas assignments, the long tour ribbon and the short tour ribbon. Both of these ribbons have their own criteria for qualifying. The Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon was created by the Air Force Chief of Staff in 1980, and is unique to the Air Force branch of the American military. These US military medals were authorized in two grades designated Short Tour and Long Tour, respectively. These medals of America which honor the Long Tour are presented to Air Force personnel who serve tours of duty of more than two years in duration. Long tour credit is awarded for completion of a overseas long tour (2 years) prescribed by Air Force Instructions, or to any member assigned to a United States or overseas location who is subsequently sent under temporary duty orders (to include combat tours) for 365 or more days within a 3-year time frame. There are no corresponding military medals for these Air Force ribbons. Additional awards of the Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters. Personnel are allowed to wear both the short and long tour ribbons simultaneously. The "A" device is authorized only on the short tour ribbon to any service member who performs a tour of duty at an arctic based Air Force facility. These military ribbons are worn below the Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon and above the Air Force Expeditionary Ribbon in the general order of precedence which the Air Force has established for the proper display of all its military medals and ribbons. This military service ribbon is not awarded with a corresponding military medal as so many of the other ribbons are.
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
January 13th 2011 - 8:10 am
The Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon was created by the Air Force Chief of Staff in 1980, and added them to the pantheon of the medals of America. This military award was authorized in two grades designated Short Tour and Long Tour, respectively. These US military medals honoring the Short Tour are presented to Air Force personnel who serve tours of duty of less than two years in duration. Normally, these Air Force ribbons are awarded for a permanent duty assignment of at least 181 consecutive days or, if stationed overseas, 300 days within an 18-month time span; such assignments are generally served unaccompanied by family members, though a short tour assignment need not be unaccompanied. Historically, most Short Tour Service Ribbons were awarded for service in South Korea, by far the most common short tour assignment in the USAF. There are no corresponding military medals for these Air Force ribbons. Additional awards of the Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters. Air Force personnel are allowed to wear both of these medals of America simultaneously. The "A" device is authorized only on the short tour ribbon to any service member who performs a tour of duty at an arctic based Air Force facility. These military ribbons are worn below the Air and Space Campaign Medal and above the Air Force Overseas Long Tour ribbon in the general order of precedence that the Air Force has established for the proper display of all its military medals and ribbons. They are generally available as Air Force ribbons and lapel pins, and were traditionally worn as slide on ribbons. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.
The Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon (SGR)
January 12th 2011 - 7:59 pm
The Marine Corp. security gaurd ribbon is not offered as a medal, only as a service ribbon and a lapel pin for retired personnell. On July 15, 1997, the Secretary of the Navy, John Dalton, established the Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon, which is unique among the five service branches of the American military. These medals of America service awards honor the Marine Corps personnel who have served as U.S. Embassy Security Guards and are retroactive to January 28, 1949. To earn these US military medals a service member must hold the Marine Corps military occupational specialty (MOS) 8156 (previously 8151) Marine Corps Security Guard qualification and must have served twenty-four months of service at an American Embassy or Consulate. The award is only presented to Marine Security Guards for their service at American Embassies or Consulates in a foreign country. These Marine Corps ribbons do no have corresponding military medals. Additional awards of the Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon are denoted by Service Stars, unless they are for awards presented retroactively. In that case, the Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon is a one time only decoration. These Marine Corps ribbons are worn below the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbons and above the Philippine Defense Medal in the general order of precedence that the Marine Corps has established for the proper display of all its military ribbons and medals. Other branches of the United States Armed Forces also have simular ribbon, but the qualifyng criteria may be a little different.
The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon (MCRR)
January 10th 2011 - 12:29 pm
The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon was authorized by order of the Secretary of the Navy in June of 1995 as one of the last service specific military awards for recruiting. These US military medals were made retroactive to January of 1973. These medals of America awards are presented to Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel who complete a standard 36 month tour in a US Marine Corps Recruiting Command. For enlisted personnel, a military occupational specialty (MOS) of 8411 must be held for the Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon to be bestowed. Officers must hold a billet as the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Operations Officer or Officer Selection Officer of a Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Local command recruiters and recruiting aides are not eligible for these Marine Corps ribbons. There are no corresponding military medals for this award. Additional awards of the Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon are denoted by Service Stars. These Marine Corps ribbons are worn below the Navy Overseas Service Ribbon and above the Military Training Instruction Ribbon in the general order of precedence which has been established for the proper display of all Marine Corps military medals and ribbons. These military ribbons are generally available as ribbons and lapel pins, and are often worn as traditional slide-on military ribbons. Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays available anywhere. Most reputable commercial military insignia suppliers offer these sleek new ribbon racks at no additional charge to military personnel.
The Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon
January 7th 2011 - 2:38 pm
The Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon was created by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on November 2, 1995. These US military medals were made retroactive to January 1, 1980. These medals of America are presented to any member of the Coast Guard who completes a standard two year tour as a Coast Guard Recruiter. The Coast Guard also issues a Recruiter Badge as a temporary decoration worn while a service member is presently serving as a Coast Guard Recruiter. These Coast Guard ribbons have no corresponding military medals, and these awards are not offered to any other branch of the nautical military services. Additional awards of the Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon are denoted by Service Stars. These military ribbons are worn below the Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon and above the Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon in the general order of precedence established by the Coast Guard for the proper display of all military ribbons and medals. These Coast Guard awards are available in military ribbons and lapel pins, and are traditionally worn in the form of slide-on military ribbons. Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays available anywhere. Most reputable commercial military insignia suppliers offer these sleek new ribbon racks at no additional charge to military personnel.
The Navy Recruit Training Service Ribbon
January 6th 2011 - 11:28 am
The Navy created the Navy Training Service Ribbon in March of 1995. These US military medals recognize enlisted members of the Navy who have served as Recruit Division Commanders and have completed the basic training tour under the Navy Bureau of Education and Training. These medals of America are retroactive to October of 1995. To earn these Navy ribbons, a service member must complete no less than three years of duty in command of no less than five divisions, free of any disciplinary actions. Those personnel assigned in a support capacity for this duty are not eligible for this ribbon. The Navy does not offer military medals corresponding to this ribbon award. The Marine Corps does not issue these military ribbons to their service personnel. The Navy Training Service Ribbon is worn below the Navy Recruiting Ribbon and above the Philippine Defense Medal in the general order of precedence established for the proper display of all Navy medals and ribbons. Additional awards of the Navy Recruit Training Service Ribbon are denoted by Service Stars. These Navy awards are available as military ribbons and lapel pins, and are traditionally worn as slide-on military ribbons. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.
The Navy Reserve Sea Service Ribbon (NRSSR)
January 3rd 2011 - 1:52 pm
The Secretary of the Navy created the Reserve Sea Service Ribbon in May 1986 and added it to the medals of America. These US military medals are presented to any member of the U.S. Navy Reserve who completes twenty-four cumulative months of duty on board a U.S. Navy Reserve Ship while serving as a drilling reservist. These Navy ribbons are also granted to members of embarked Navy Reserve staffs, provided that at least half of the embarked reserve drills qualified as underway drills. Service performed by reservists who were called to active duty is not eligible for earning the Navy Reserve Sea Service ribbon. In such cases, the active duty service would qualify towards the award of the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. The term "Navy Reserve Ship" refers to any self-propelled Navy Reserve ship, boat, or craft operated under the operational control of fleet or type commanders. Unlike most military ribbons, there are no corresponding military medals authorized for this decoration. Additional awards of the Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon are denoted by Bronze Service Stars worn on the ribbon. These military ribbons are worn below the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon and above the Navy Overseas Service Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military ribbons and medals.
The Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
January 2nd 2011 - 4:35 am
The Navy Arctic Service Ribbon was established in May of 1986 and made retroactive to January of 1982. These US military medals are presented to all Navy and Marine Corps personnel who serve 28 or more consecutive days of duty in the Arctic Circle. These medals of America are one of the few military ribbons or medals that may be awarded to both civilians and members of other US services provided they served with a Navy or Marine Corps command when the Arctic duty was performed. To date, no corresponding military medals have been created to match these Navy ribbons. These Navy and Marine Corps ribbons are awarded for a one time service, and there are no devices authorized for additional periods of Arctic service. There is a similar award to these Navy Arctic Service Ribbons called is the Antarctica Service Medal which is available to service members of all five branches of the United State military. However, the Antarctic Service Medal is a higher ranking military medal. The Navy Arctic Service Ribbons are worn below the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and above the Navy Reserve Sea Service Ribbon, or the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military ribbons and medals. The Navy Arctic Service Ribbon can be worn as full size military ribbons and lapel pins.
The Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon (CGSSR)
January 1st 2011 - 7:23 am
The Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon was created the Commandant of the Coast Guard in 1984. These US military medals are awarded to honor Coast Guard personnel who complete more than 12 consecutive months of sea duty on a Coast Guard cutter, in a Fleet Training Group, or aboard certain other Coast Guard craft under official Coast Guard orders. These military ribbons are sometimes awarded for service aboard a non-Coast Guard vessel that is under Coast Guard Control. Unlike most medals of America these ribbons have no corresponding military medals. When additional awards of these Coast Guard ribbons are presented for a further three years of sea service, they are displayed as Service Stars on the previously awarded military ribbon. These military ribbons are worn after the Coast Guard Special Operations Medal and before the Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military ribbons and medals. Like most Coast Guard awards, these military ribbons are available as traditional slide-on ribbons, lapel pins and a unit banner.
