Posted on Oct 28, 2016
Should awards only be worn if they are annotated on your ERB?
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So obviously if it's not on your ERB then you can't wear it on your uniform. But what if it is on your ERB and you choose not to wear it? Is that even possible? Or are you mandated by regulation to wear it if you have it on your ERB? Doesn't matter much for me with my 2AAMs and 1 GCM but what about people who've been in awhile and have a decked out chest? I once saw GEN Dempsey wearing his class Bs wth just his nameplate and a handful of medals in a press conference
DA Pam 670-1
Uniforms
ERB
Awards
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 39
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You can wear as few awards as you wish, so long as you wear them correctly and you indeed rate those awards. For certain events, the commander may mandate wear of all awards and accoutrements.
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1SG (Join to see)
Generally I wear the whole nine yards. Not to look all grand or whatever, but because Joe looks up to you. It is a pain at times keeping all that current.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I'll admit I didn't change a ribbon bar for just one ribbon, I changed it when there were two or more to add. Usually You had to obtain a new backing holder and I wanted to make it less frequent adding more to it rather than keep buying bars to hold them. I found though as i advanced in rank that I agree with You 1st Sergeant, they do have their value to demonstrate to You troops You have paid Your dues and maybe inspire them.
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LTC (Join to see)
The reg actually uses the term "authorized for wear".
However, keep in mind that when you take your official photo your ribbons should match your Record Brief. This has forced me to update my rack every year.
I have actually gone from a thin ribbon rack to a standard build it yourself as it is much easier to update every year.
I do still have my thin ribbon. And while it has about 4 fewer ribbons, I often just use that on my B's as it is easier.
However, keep in mind that when you take your official photo your ribbons should match your Record Brief. This has forced me to update my rack every year.
I have actually gone from a thin ribbon rack to a standard build it yourself as it is much easier to update every year.
I do still have my thin ribbon. And while it has about 4 fewer ribbons, I often just use that on my B's as it is easier.
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I knew a soldier in 1973 that only wore 1 ribbon - sky blue with 5 stars.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
If you earned that award, all rank and other decorations, coins, letters, rank and junk basically don't mean anything. It would be pretty epic to wear no rank or anythign else but that award. I doubt even the CSM or the Army would say anything to you.
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The ERB is an output document and grants no authority to wear anything. Look at it like a resume. Source documents are what grant you the authority to wear awards and decorations. It is a Soldier's obligation to update their ERB, but the ERB does not grant authority for anything.
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SGT (Join to see)
Very true. Soldiers (I would say service member but I don't know what other branches have instead) ERB/ORB is what personell uses to generate the info that goes on your DD214, so it is especially important to make sure it is up to date when preparing for ETS'ing or retiring. Especially if you have an award that gets you extra benefits in the civilian life...i.e. purple heart, silver star, medal of honor, etc...
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SFC (Join to see)
I wear what's on my latest DD214, I have attempted without success to get the ANG to update my ERB with my previous service awards whilst in the USMC.
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SPC (Join to see)
Is there anywhere I can find this in a regulation so I can show my 1SG, my unit “lore” is that if it isn’t on your SRB/ERB, you can’t wear it.
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SPC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see)Same here SFC, I have multiple awards and commendations on my Dd2-14 (prior navy) I know some don’t transfer to Army but they get dumbstruck when it comes to adding it to my SRB.
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