Neck Ribbons. Why worn incorrectly so often?

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:09:34 -0400

The Order of St. Barbara, the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe, The Audie Murphy Club, the Congressional Medal of Honor. All are worn around the neck. But while the Medal of Honor is always worn correctly, why are the others so often worn incorrectly?

The regulation clearly states " Decorations with neck ribbons are worn with the neckband ribbon aroundthe neck, outside the shirt collar and inside the coat collar, with the medal hanging over the necktie.". But it's not uncommon to see them under jacket lapels, or even shirt lapels!

*Full disclosure* I recently saw another example of this while visiting Fort Lee. A SFC was wearing the Audie Murphy award under his jacket lapels. It look HORRIBLE. When I mentioned it to him (I always keep the 670-1's handy on my phone in case people get lippy) he honestly had no idea there was a regulation for it.

I find it's worse when it's the Audie Murphy medallion worn incorrectly... That medallion is supposed to signify you're among the best. But you can't be bothered to reference the correct way to wear your uniform? For Shame...

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 3 at 2015 11:11 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:11:37 -0400

I have the Order of Saint Maurice. I think that the issue is simply because it is not taught and is worn so rarely. I think that is the sole reason.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 3 at 2015 11:25 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:25:02 -0400

SFC Michael Hasbun, I was a Tactical (training) Officer at OCS for three years and a detailed inspector general for four years. There was a time when I could quote AR670-1 from cover to cover (well, paragraphs anyway) and improper wear of the uniform has always driven me CRAZY!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 4 at 2015 5:54 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 05:54:50 -0400

Something I will never have to worry about.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 1:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:34:59 -0400

Intresting conversation! I was just talking about this with my peers.

With our Saint Barbara Ball coming up in the next couple of weeks, the thought crossed my mind of the proper wear of the Saint Brabara Medallion in conjunction with the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award (Definitely don't want to walk in looking like a soup sandwich!).

Ever since I can remember, I have always seen the Saint Barbara Medallion worn underneath the shirt colllar and after digging into the different references, the infromation I accumulated is below:

FORSCOM Regulation 600-80-1 2 Apr 2015

7-5 Multiple neck ribbons
An individual may not wear more than two decorations with neck ribbons at
one time. The decoration with the highest precedence is worn above the
other. The Sergeant Audie Murphy medallion takes precedence over all other
decorations with neck ribbons other than decorations with neck ribbons
awarded by HQ, DA such as the Medal of Honor. An example can be found in DA
PAM 670-1, chapter 22-9.

DA PAM 670-1 1 Jul 2015:

22-9. Multiple neck ribbons, broad sashes, and stars
a. An individual may not wear more than two decorations with neck ribbons at
one time. The decoration with the
highest precedence is worn suspended above the other. The Medal of Honor
takes precedence over all other decorations
with neck ribbons (see figs 22-9 and 22-10). Decorations with neck ribbons
are worn with the neckband ribbon around
the neck, outside the shirt collar and inside the coat collar, with the
medal hanging over the necktie.

AR 670-1 10 Apr 2015

22-9. Multiple neck ribbons, broad sashes, and stars
a. An individual awarded more than one decoration that includes a broad
ribbon, sash, or star will wear only one
broad ribbon or sash, and no more than four stars at one time. The
Presidential Medal of Freedom broad ribbon with
badge and star has precedence over all other broad ribbons, sashes, or
stars. Additional guidance on wear of stars is in
DA Pam 670-1.
b. An individual may not wear more than two decorations with neck ribbons at
one time. The decoration with the
highest precedence is worn suspended above the other. The Medal of Honor
takes precedence over all other decorations
with neck ribbons.

*Based on that information, I got that we can wear both the SAMA Medallion
and St. Barbara Medal with the SAMA going on top because it takes precedence
over all other decorations minus those awarded by HQ, DA.

Also, in the FORSCOM regulation for the SAMA, it states that the ribbon would be worn inside the collar versus all others outlined in AR 670-1. Below is the pitcure taken from that publication that was recently released on 2 April 2015.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 29 at 2016 9:24 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 21:24:54 -0400

interesting... Thanks for the Information...

Response by SFC Brett Dinkelacker made Nov 29 at 2017 5:22 PM

SFC Brett Dinkelacker — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 17:22:55 -0500

If a man or woman has been awarded the Medal Of Honor, I prefer that you just salute it and move about your merry way. These aren’t Army Service Ribbons that your talking about people. How about a little earned respect here.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 6 at 2018 12:40 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 12:40:32 -0400

LET ME TELL YOU IF YOU WAS GOING TO BE GETTING THE MOH OR WEARING THE MOH SOMEWHERE THERE SURE WILL BE ALOT EYES ON IT BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE. YOU WOULD BE THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE EVENT AND NO ONE IS GOING TO LET YOU WEAR THE MOH WRONG.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 3 at 2020 10:57 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 22:57:28 -0400

Unless it's MOH no reason to wear a neck award. The Saint of medals, Audie Murphy medal take 'em home put 'em in a box.It's like cavarly hat, spur awards, sapper tab virtual waste of time. Look like a walking christmas tree.