Posted on Nov 22, 2025
Can West Point cadets wear national guard awards/badges?
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Here's the scenario: National guard soldier gets accepted to West Point with the goal to commission as an officer. Lets say he earns state ribbons and ARNG Honor Guard tab during his time as an M-day soldier in the guard. Can he wear those awards at USMA? Or is it exclusive to only federal awards?
Posted in these groups: 
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Posted 12 d ago
Responses: 4
You can not wear any state award or badge while you are at USMA. Any state award that is unique to that state and not a federal award given to you at your state is not permitted when you are in a federal status. When you are on title 32 you can but when you are on federal orders you are on title 10 and you can only wear federal awards.
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MSgt (Join to see)
I will add if you transfer to another state National Guard unit unless recognized by that state you are not authorized wear of the other states awards.
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It all depends on what "status" you are serving in. AR-670-1 does have language that allows State awards but if you transition to a "Federal" Status you are no longer in that bubble of authority as you just shifted from title 32 to Title 10.
Capt. Rosa is correct.
Capt. Rosa is correct.
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State awards are state specific and only worn within that state. They don’t transfer to another state guard and I don’t believe you can wear them on Active Duty. But in your scenario if he’s still assigned to the same National Guard unit and after graduation returns I’m just not sure. Hopefully you will get a better answer.
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LTC Matthew Schlosser
AR 670-1 explicitly authorizes the wear of state awards on the Army uniform. I don't know why you wouldn't be able to wear the Texas Medal of Merit on your uniform in California if you can wear it on your federal uniform.
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MSgt (Join to see)
LTC Matthew Schlosser
DA PAM 670-, 22-5
j. State awards for Army National Guard Soldiers. Under the provisions of Title 32, United States Code (32 USC),
Army National Guard (ARNG) personnel are authorized to wear State awards under applicable State laws or regula-
tions when assigned to the ARNG under the command and control of the governor or Adjutant General. The term
“State” includes the 50 states, U.S. territories (which include Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia. The following personnel statuses are included in this authorization: Active Guard Reserve; active
duty for training; active duty for special work; full-time National Guard duty for special work or training; annual
training; and inactive duty training (drill status), including periods when personnel may be attached to the Regular
Army or reserve of any Service, whether paid or unpaid. Personnel will wear such awards in the State order of prece-
dence after Federal and foreign awards. Under the provisions of 10 USC, Soldiers on active Federal service are au-
thorized to accept, but not wear State or territory awards.
DA PAM 670-, 22-5
j. State awards for Army National Guard Soldiers. Under the provisions of Title 32, United States Code (32 USC),
Army National Guard (ARNG) personnel are authorized to wear State awards under applicable State laws or regula-
tions when assigned to the ARNG under the command and control of the governor or Adjutant General. The term
“State” includes the 50 states, U.S. territories (which include Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Puerto Rico, and the
District of Columbia. The following personnel statuses are included in this authorization: Active Guard Reserve; active
duty for training; active duty for special work; full-time National Guard duty for special work or training; annual
training; and inactive duty training (drill status), including periods when personnel may be attached to the Regular
Army or reserve of any Service, whether paid or unpaid. Personnel will wear such awards in the State order of prece-
dence after Federal and foreign awards. Under the provisions of 10 USC, Soldiers on active Federal service are au-
thorized to accept, but not wear State or territory awards.
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MSgt (Join to see)
LTC Matthew Schlosser - Not all states recognize awards from other states. That’s why I said state awards are state specific. California would have to recognize the State of Texas award for wearing. You are correct in a sense that Guard awards can be worn on the Army uniform while you are title 32. Once you become title 10 they are not authorized. State awards don’t transfer if you transfer to another state regardless of still being title 32.
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LTC Matthew Schlosser
MSgt (Join to see) - Yeah, I don't know about the state to state thing. But I was wrong about title 10. I relied on AI and didn't look at the (nonexistent) paragraph in AR-670-1 that it cited until the next day!
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