How many devices can you wear on a ribbon on the Army Service Uniform?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:12:35 -0500

Specifically, how many total devices or appurtenances can be worn on a single ribbon? The reg says 4 total oak leafs can be worn. Which makes it sound like you can wear 4 oak leafs and a "V" device. But I swear I have previously seen something that says you can only wear 4 total appurtenances/devices regardless of what they are. Which would mean you could only wear 3 oak leafs with a "V" device.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2017 12:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:14:23 -0500

Have you looked in AR 670-1 or perhaps AR 600-8-22?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2017 12:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:56:52 -0500

Well, if you've looked and haven't found the answer I will tell you what I would understand to be the case. At most 4 OLCs, with 4x silver OLCs representing the most you can with one ribbon. If you need to show more, you need another ribbon and you show your additional appurtenances on that one (keep in mind the ribbon itself counts as an award and the V device does not).

So, to tie into your example, say I have 6 ARCOMS, one with V device. I would show that as an ARCOM ribbon with 4 bronze OLCs (accounting for 5 ARCOMS) and another ribbon with the V device (accounting for the 6th ARCOM and the Valor designation.

Whatever fits on one ribbon goes, from your centerline towards your shoulder... V device, silver OLCs, bronze OLCs.

Response by MSgt Doug P. made Jan 18 at 2017 5:13 PM

MSgt Doug P. — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 17:13:02 -0500

I believe that Army regs are very similar to the USAF's in this regard.
You can wear up to 4 devices on each ribbon (if authorized). If you have more than 4 devices, get an additional ribbon for the additional devices.
I have one award with 5 devices: 1x Valor "V", 2x Silver OLCs, and 2x Bronze OLCs so I need 2 ribbons. One ribbon has the "V" device and the second one has the four OLCs on it.
Just make sure that when you are counting the total awards, each ribbon does count as well as the OLCs. Again, in my case, I have 14 instances of this award in my records so 2 ribbons, 2 silver OLCs, and 2 bronze OLCs make my numbers right.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 18 at 2017 11:51 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 23:51:06 -0500

DA PAM 670-1 indicates you can wear 4 oak leaf clusters with a V device.

22–11. Appurtenances
The following appurtenances may be worn on decorations, medals, ribbons, and other awards, when authorized by the proper authority.
a. Oak Leaf Clusters.
(1) See AR 670–1 for wear policy.
(2) The silver oak leaf cluster is worn to the wearer’s right of a bronze oak leaf cluster and to the left of the “V” device. Oak leaf clusters, 5/16 inch in length, are worn on service ribbons, the suspension ribbon of miniature medals, and unit awards. Oak leaf clusters, 13/32 inch in length, are worn on the suspension ribbon of full-size medals. Oak leaf clusters 5/16 inch in length, joined together in series of two, three, and four clusters, are authorized for optional purchase and wear on service ribbons and unit award emblems. Personnel wear oak leaf clusters centered on the service ribbon and suspension ribbon, with the stems of the leaves pointing to the wearer’s right. If four oak leaf clusters are worn on the suspension ribbon on either full-size or miniature medals, the fourth one is placed above the middle one in the row of three. No more than four oak leaf clusters can be worn side-by-side on service ribbons.

AR 670-1 para 22-11 doesn't really lend anything to the conversation. It is careful to say "oak leaf clusters" when discussing the limit to numbers on a ribbon. It also uses "appurtances" specifically in other places in that same paragraph.

Hardly official, but I went to the Marlow White award builder. The ribbons populated with an Two ARCOM ribbons. One with the V and three OLCs and the other with no appurtances. The Medal had the V over a 1+3 stack of OLCs. Which is not what the reg/PAM says.

Response by CW4 Billy Dove made Jan 19 at 2017 1:20 AM

CW4 Billy Dove — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 01:20:46 -0500

AR 670-1, 29-12 states . Wear of appurtenances
Appurtenances are devices affixed to service or suspension ribbons, or worn in lieu of medals or ribbons. They are worn to denote an additional award, participation in a specific event, or some other distinguishing characteristic of an award. The following appurtenances are authorized for wear on decorations, medals, ribbons and other awards, when authorized by appropriate authority. When more than one appurtenance is worn, soldiers will ensure all devices are centered on the ribbon. (See AR 600–8–22 for additional information.)
a. Oak leaf clusters.
(1) A bronze twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on each stem is worn to denote award of second and succeeding awards of decorations (other than the Air Medal), the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and unit awards. A silver oak leaf cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters. It is worn to the wearer’s right of a bronze oak leaf cluster and to the left of the “V” device. Oak leaf clusters, 5/16 inch in length, are worn on service ribbons, the suspension ribbon of miniature medals, and unit awards. Oak leaf clusters, 13/32 inch in length, are worn on the suspension ribbon of full-size medals. Oak leaf clusters 5/16 inch in length, joined together in series of two, three, and four clusters, are authorized for optional purchase and wear on service ribbons and unit award emblems. Personnel wear oak leaf clusters centered on the service ribbon and suspension ribbon, with the stems of the leaves pointing to the wearer’s right. If four oak leaf clusters are worn on the suspension ribbon on either full-size or miniature medals, the fourth one is placed above the middle one in the row of three. No more than four oak leaf clusters can be worn side-by-side on service ribbons.
(2) If the number of authorized oak leaf clusters exceeds four and will not fit on a single ribbon, a second ribbon is authorized for wear. When the second ribbon is worn, it is placed after the first ribbon; the second ribbon counts as one award. Personnel may wear no more than four oak leaf clusters on each ribbon. If the receipt of future awards reduces the number of oak leaf clusters sufficiently (that is, a silver oak leaf for five awards), personnel will remove the second ribbon and place the appropriate number of devices on a single ribbon.
b. “V” device. The “V” device is a bronze block letter, “V,” 1⁄4 inch high. It is worn to denote participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy. The “V” device is worn centered on the suspension ribbon and service ribbon on the Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Commenda- tion Medal. Not more than one “V” device is worn on a ribbon. When worn with an oak leaf cluster or numerals, the “V” device is worn on the wearer’s right.

Hopes this answers your question. Ribbon plus 4 Bronze OLCs equal 5 awards. One Silver OLC equals 5 awards, OLC's are worn to the left of V device. 6 Awards and V looking at ribbon infant of you, V Silver OLC Bronze OLC. Remember, the ribbon itself is one award.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2017 12:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:22:38 -0400

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Jun 7 at 2017 1:30 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 13:30:07 -0400

This isn't per uniform, this is across all branches. I have two AF Outstanding Unit Awards on my ribbon rack because I have a V on the ribbon but not enough oak leaf clusters for another silver. The max is 4 total devices on any ribbon or medal. This includes the clusters, stars, E's (Navy), V.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2017 8:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 20:01:10 -0400

You can only wear 4 devices on the ribbon. After I received my arcom with "v" it took weeks and everybody and their mother to weigh in on this matter. I have 5 arcoms and 1 arcom with "v". Therefore I wear 2 ribbons, 1 with the 4 oak leafs and one with the "v" device. Now if I get a 6th arcom then I will go back to one ribbon with "v" device and silver cluster

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Oct 18 at 2019 6:07 PM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 18:07:05 -0400

Doesn’t a V device worn with multiple award devices express that they were ALL under Valorous conditions?

Or maybe, just maybe...if we were awarded an actual Valorous award for a Valorous event, and such awards were left alone as intended to be valorous...instead of dumbing down things like the Bronze Star just to hand a retiring member “a cookie” we wouldn’t have these issues leaving Valorous award recipients from Vietnam turning in their graves...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 1:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 13:21:23 -0500

If I cannot properly center my devices ( C device, 3 oak leaf cluster) on my ribbon. Then I, should go to two ribbons one w/ C device and one with two oak leaf cluster, correct?

Response by CPT Julius Luck made May 28 at 2021 11:44 PM

CPT Julius Luck — Fri, 28 May 2021 23:44:40 -0400

I've been out a long time, but what's left of my memory tells me that more than four bronze oak leaf clusters is one silver oak cluster, and then you add more bronze ones to that.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Jan 24 at 2024 12:05 AM

1SG John Millan — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:05:44 -0500

None, it's a one time award.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Jan 24 at 2024 12:58 AM

1SG John Millan — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:58:35 -0500

Once it is full with no more room for devices. You start a continuation page LOL with a 2nd ribbon. The fact that some are getting that many AAM's shows jow little they csn mean and how broken the awards system is. Abolish the Army Service Ribbon and NCO Professional Development Ribbon, which state the obvious. Make Bronze Stars for Valor only with no need for a V device as it should be presumptive and limit AAM's. Go back to WW2 awards mindset. A 4 year specialist who never saw combat can look like a Salvadorian field marshal now!!