Ask questions and share your knowledge with the world here on Answerbag. Get the best answers where there are no duplicate questions and questions are always open - our community of over 1,142,000 will find your answer!

Search for Answers

Browse Members

The last question was answered in just

minute Let our thousands of members help!

How Are Ribbons Worn on Uniforms?

Friday, October 09, 2009

Related Tags: ribbons | medals | 670-1 | service | uniforms

Instructions

History

Step 1:
The military officially recognizes four forms of medals: full size medals, miniature medals for formal uniforms, ribbon bars and enamel pins for civilian suits and hats. Military awards fall in two categories: awards and decorations. Awards are given for participation in specific military campaigns and for good conduct; decorations are given for valor and merit.

Significance

Step 1:
A lot can be learned about a service member's military career just by looking at the ribbons worn on the uniform. The United States government did not start recognizing service and heroism with the issuance of medals and ribbons until after the Civil War. Up until that time, the wearing of medals and ribbons was seen as a custom observed mostly by European royalty. Today, service ribbons play a significant part in the wearing of uniforms, and the protocol for how ribbons are worn is specific. It varies only slightly among the different services.

Rules

Step 1:
According to Army Regulation 670-1 Chapter 29 section 1, service ribbons are authorized for wear on the coats of the Army green, blue and white uniforms, the AG shade 415 shirt and maternity tunic for ceremonial, duty and social occasions. Service ribbons are made in the form of a bar and are pinned to the uniform in a regulated order of precedence first by medal categories that range from United States Military and nonmilitary awards to foreign and state citations; and then within the medal categories themselves in order of distinction.

The Medal of Honor is the highest decoration the United States government presents to all services for exceptional bravery above and beyond the call of duty. This medal always comes first, followed by distinguished and meritorious service medals, achievement and commendation medals, and unit awards and citations.

To save on space and redundancy, a series of small devices have been established to place on ribbons when additional medals are awarded. These devices include oak leaf clusters, stars, arrowheads, letters and numerals. Each ribbon can accommodate up to four devices.

Arrangements

Step 1:
Chapter 29's Section 7 of Army Regulation 670-1 states that once put in the proper category and order, service ribbons are worn on the wearer's left side from the wearer's right to left in one or more rows. There should be no more than four ribbons to a row. The first two rows must contain the same amount of ribbons. The top row can be centered on the row beneath or aligned left of it; whichever looks best is permitted.