Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation

The Coast Guard created the Meritorious Team Commendation in December of 1993. These Coast Guard ribbons are the second lowest unit award the Coast Guard presents. These Coast Guard decorations are awarded to lower level commands who perform exceptional actions that would normally be rewarded with a Commandant’s Letter of Commendation if they were individuals. In addition, any unit that seeks to qualify for these military ribbons must also display cohesion and teamwork efficiency noticeable to upper echelon commanders. These Coast Guard decorations are considered the equivalent of the Army Superior Unit Award and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations are worn below Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, and above Coast Guard “E” Ribbons in the standard order of precedence for all military medals and ribbons. Additional awards of these Coast Guard decorations are signified by attaching gold or silver Award Stars to these team awards for each member of the team. If the Meritorious Team Commendation is earned under field operating conditions, the Operational Distinguished Device is also authorized for display by all team members. .