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 9 y ago
Responses: 39
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Sp4 Byron Skinner. Really two issues are in this question. First did someone earn or not earn an award which is a matter of record, check the 201 file. The second is wearing ribbons. Over the years the military has created a lot of medals and badges to the point especially in the Air Force an E-2 can look like a Latin American Law enforcement officer. Most of these medals/ribbons are little more the soldier of the month awards. I would suggest for both Enlisted and Officers six ribbons should be allowed. Unit awards over the right hand pocket should be limited to three.
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I used to have fun rotating my foreign awards.. and one in which I had more than one in a group.. I.E Air Assault wings and Jump Wings, EIB and CIB... made for some interesting conversations ..
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I just ask myself who came up with the nonsense if it's not on your ERB, you can't wear it. Bullshyt!!! As long you have the supporting documents supporting the awards/badges/tabs earned, then you can wear it regardless if it's on the ERB or not. I haven't seen any regulation that states it's mandatory to wear on OCP or ACU, but on the ASU it would be good to display everything you earned. Once you get high in rank E7 & above, that's when the DA photo with all your awards and ERB really come into play. Those guys on the board want to match what's on ERB to what's on the DA photo.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Here's the thing though: Yes, technically you are correct that it is the supporting documentation that authorizes you to wear something. However, as someone said, your ERB/ORB is like your resume, and typically is the first an only thing people are going to look at when they do a cursory review of your file. It's your responsibility to keep it up to date, and not doing so reflects on you. PERSCOM is always looking at people's ERB/ORB for things like special assignments and the like. It's not always just for a board. And having an ERB/ORB that does not match a DA photo, regardless of whether you have the supporting documentation (which again is your responsibility to get to S1 to update) is going to raise a red flag, and may potentially remove you from a OML that you didn't even know you were being considered for.
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The regulations of each service govern the appropriate wear of awards and decorations on the uniform. If memory serves, you may wear some all or none of the ribbons you have earned subject to the aforementioned regulations. Clearly you may not wear unauthorized awards, or awards that you are authorized to accept, but not wear (often called table decorations). In the US Navy there is a tradition of only wearing your highest three on the shirt (Class B, etc...). Be proud of what you have accomplished, and wear what seems appropriate and in accordance with the regulations. On a closing note, you often find that end of service and/or retirement awards are often received after the DD214 is processed. However, as orders are issued, they are legitimate for wear. I hope this helps. Thank you for serving.
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CW3 George Fitzgerald
I am guessing they mean Enlisted Record Brief ( your 2-1 file ) used to be called an ORB for officers so I guess he is thinking ERB for enlisted.
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The wearing of authorized awards is at the option of the soldier. No one is required, unless directed by their commander, to wear awards and badges. The only time a commander or Senior NCO would direct the wear of all authorized awards and badges is for a uniform inspection or pre-board/pre-official photo inspection. All authorized awards are in your ERB/ORB. If not, that needs to be corrected.
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SPC David Young
Maybe this is a different subject altogether but I had something similar happen back in 1995. I was with the 101st at the time. An E6 that I was working under knew that I wore a 1st. Division patch on my right shoulder and that this patch was missing from one of my BDU's. He pointed that out and gave me to the end of that day to correct it or he would write me up. I didn't argue with him. What he saw as a problem was taken care of later that day. He said to me later on "You earned that combat patch and should be proud to have it. It's part of your uniform and it always will be!"
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COL (Join to see)
SPC David Young - He was correct and incorrect. He was pointing out that your pride should persuade you to wear a FTWS patch on your right sleeve. However, pride nor regulations require you to wear every patch. The only ones required are your current unit, name tape, US Army tape and rank.
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SPC David Young
I knew that the NCO was partially wrong but I also thought that arguing with him was a bad idea. I don't remember why I had my 1st Division patch on all of my uniforms except that one but threatening to write me up over it was taking it a little too far.
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"Should awards only be worn if they are annotated on your ERB?"
Answer: No! Awards should only be worn if properly awarded with orders.
"So obviously if it's not on your ERB then you can't wear it on your uniform."
Answer: Wrong! You can wear any award you have been awarded (received award order)
"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?"
Answer: Yes! You do not have to wear any award unless mandated by your commander, you only have to wear the required components in AR 670-1.
Note: For DA Photo or Boards the correct answer is your ERB has every award you have award orders for on it. The common procedure is if you were awarded something (i.e. an AAM) and you have the certificate and orders, but you have FAILED to update your ERB/ORB then you do not wear that award so your uniform matches your ERB. You should NEVER have to worry about this because you are a squared away Soldier and make sure your ERB/ORB is up to date at all times. ;-)
Answer: No! Awards should only be worn if properly awarded with orders.
"So obviously if it's not on your ERB then you can't wear it on your uniform."
Answer: Wrong! You can wear any award you have been awarded (received award order)
"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?"
Answer: Yes! You do not have to wear any award unless mandated by your commander, you only have to wear the required components in AR 670-1.
Note: For DA Photo or Boards the correct answer is your ERB has every award you have award orders for on it. The common procedure is if you were awarded something (i.e. an AAM) and you have the certificate and orders, but you have FAILED to update your ERB/ORB then you do not wear that award so your uniform matches your ERB. You should NEVER have to worry about this because you are a squared away Soldier and make sure your ERB/ORB is up to date at all times. ;-)
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SFC (Join to see)
I would like to know what unit an E-4 can walk into an S-1 shop and make them upload supporting documents so that their ERB is updated with any degree of certainty. It is a Soldiers job to ensure accuracy, not update. As a senior NCO, I had issues trying to get mine updated to the point I said screw it, I'll make my DA photo match my ERB.
Crazy that we have an entire MOS dedicated to personnel transactions, yet somehow the method of thinking is that it is up to the Soldier to take care of everything themselves.
Crazy that we have an entire MOS dedicated to personnel transactions, yet somehow the method of thinking is that it is up to the Soldier to take care of everything themselves.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I have had great experience with my S-1s and G-1s throughout my career, and not just personally, but seeing the shops offer blocks of time for ERB updates with junior Soldiers 1-on-1 ... and if an NCO brought his/her Soldier down to update something better believe they made time for it.
I know everyone has different experiences, but if your personnel shop is failing that is indicative of a lack of leadership from the commander on down.
I know everyone has different experiences, but if your personnel shop is failing that is indicative of a lack of leadership from the commander on down.
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I will let someone else speak to not wearing awards annotated in sm's records. However, when going before any promotion board, soldier's board or anything related to formal counsel, the two should always match. Remember that SSG's and up must update their DA Photo's when the records change or every two years. This affects your promotions guys. It is crucial to keep all of your records up to date so that when a tossup happens in your unit due to PCS, ETS, Retirement or casualty loss, the Army (and your local MILPO) knows exactly who can replace who and how soon it can happen. I know that my personnel knowledge has a date on it, but some things do not change. I would have extreme difficulty believing this could be one of them. Take care of your records, emergency data card, personnel files, and everything else pertaining to your service. It is the best way to get recognized for the hard work you do beyond your local chain of command. *Salute*
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