Wearing Medals and Ribbons in the Military: Regulations and Etiquette

In the military, the requirement to wear medals and ribbons is not a universal command. Instead, it depends on the specific regulations of your branch and the occasion. Service members are typically expected to wear these decorations during formal events, ceremonies, and when in uniform, especially when being recognized for their service or achievements.

Orthodoxies and Guidelines

Each branch of the military has its own set of rules and regulations regarding the proper wear of awards and decorations. These guidelines may differ based on the uniform type, the specific medal or ribbon, and the context in which the award is worn. For instance, some medals and ribbons are worn on daily uniforms, while others are reserved for dress uniforms or special occasions.

Daily Uniforms and Dress Regulations

Scholarship and respect for protocol are paramount. Just as in my day, unauthorized ribbons on daily duty uniforms were not typical. However, in the Navy, for instance, the requirement to wear medals or ribbons can vary based on the uniform denomination. During service and full-dress uniforms, medals and ribbons are displayed according to the assignment and events.

Regulations and Personal Awards

Being awarded medals and ribbons is more than just a formal requirement—it signifies the recognition of achievements and the valor of the service member. These awards often come with tangible benefits, such as early promotion, special pay, or allowances, or they symbolize the intangible benefits of honor and commitment. For example, the Nation Defense Service Medal is awarded for service during the First Gulf War, granting recognized valour and contribution to the nation.

Award Tracking and Recognition

Mindful of the process, a service medal typically comes with its own tracking system, which is a critical component of the administrative duties of the command. These records, both paper and electronic, keep track of individual awards and commendations.

Servce and Campaign Medals

Service medals denote participation in military operations short of conflict with an armed enemy or service meeting specific criteria such as honorable service as a prisoner of war. Campaign medals, on the other hand, recognize active participation in a war or a significant combat operation of long duration and significant scope. Both types of medals are significant in recognizing the efforts and contributions of service members to their nation.

List of Medals

Some of the prominent service and campaign medals include:

Note: Some of the ribbons, such as the Navy and Marine Corps Norwegian Defense Service Ribbon, are not available in all regions and might not be applicable in certain contexts.

Wearing and Grouping Decorations

The manner of displaying medals and ribbons is equally important. Typically, they are arranged in groups with the same number of decorations in each row, with the lesser number in the top row when necessary. A maximum of three decorations may be worn side by side in a single row with no overlap. If there are four or more decorations, they must be re-arranged into a maximum of five in a single row using an overlap mounting frame. Command participants in formal events wear full-dress uniforms, while other invited guests may wear a service-dress uniform that only requires ribbons.

Working Environment and Uniforms

It is important to follow the guidelines for the appropriate uniform in a working environment. For instance, sailors often refrain from wearing uniforms that require decorations on a daily basis, except for special occasions. The appropriate uniform in a working environment is called the "working uniform".

Conclusion

In summary, whether you are required to wear a medal or ribbon in the military depends on the regulations of your branch and the occasion. While medals and ribbons are a representation of honor and service, they must be worn according to established guidelines to ensure respect and professionalism. By understanding the specific rules and following the etiquette, service members can effectively communicate their achievements and contributions to the nation.