Posted on Sep 4, 2014
CPO Jon Campbell
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I tried to order a ribbon set on-line and the rack builder informed me that I could not have 4 gold stars and an O device on my Meritorious Team Commendation ribbon. I checked the manual, but I couldn't find any prohibition against having more than 4 devices. How do you properly wear a ribbon with an O and 5 awards? I have always put 2 stars on each side of the O.
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Responses: 9
SFC Mark Merino
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CPO Jon Campbell In the Army, we could only use up to 4 appurtenances on a reward. I believe that is universal for all services since the Dept of Heraldry is DOD. I ran into the same issue at the 10 Army Achievement mark. If silver is "5" and then the bronze only included "4" ....Then you either max out at 4 appurtenances or 9 awards. According to our beloved AR 670-1 the solution, as insane as it sounds, is to wear a second award. Your Meritorious Team Commendation ribbon with all the chatchkies comes first, and then the slick one immediately follows suit (in the lessor award position). I am sans coffee at the moment so if I am vague, put me on blast and I'll clarify. Try not being so high speed and you won't run into these issues....lol
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
>1 y
It's lonely at the top CPO Jon Campbell .
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MSgt Scott Ashley
MSgt Scott Ashley
10 y
I had the same problem with the outstanding unit awards... It does look like a goof, but that's what you do...
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SSgt Michael Cox
SSgt Michael Cox
>1 y
the problem is having room on the ribbon for all the devices. if i remember right my on my ribbon rack i have 2 outstanding unit ribbons because of my V and 4 oak leaf clusters wouldn't fit.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
TSgt Joshua Copeland
>1 y
SSgt Michael Cox, I have the same issue with the AFOUA. I have it with the "V" and "13" devices. Ends up being on Ribbon with the "V", 2 Silver OLC, 1 Bronze OLC and a second ribbon with a single Bronze OLC.
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CMSgt Mark Lewis
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In the Air Force, the AFI guidance is you can only wear four devices on any one decoration/ribbon. If and when you have more awards then you wear a second decoration/ribbon of the same type.
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CMC Robert Young
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Jon, that's a new one for me. I've seen a number of people w/ five devices on their ribbons, typically as you say a combination of operational "O"s and stars denoting subsequent awards. Thinking maybe the vendor isn't up to speed on what is allowed.
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CPO Jon Campbell
CPO Jon Campbell
>1 y
I have seen it too and I've never had anyone tell me that 4 devices was the limit. It wouldn't surprise me if it was against Heraldry standards though. The CG has not always been in tune there.
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LCDR Chaplain
LCDR (Join to see)
7 y
I believe the sea services allow 5 items per ribbon, while the Army and Air Force only allow 4. But it gets trickier too. Say you have the O and a gold star; USMC (hypothetically, since O is a USCG device) would put the star to the RIGHT of the O as the observer is looking at it, while USN/USCG would put it to the LEFT. Then a star on either side. Then USN/USCG put 2 to the left and 1 to the right. Then 2 on either side. So I'd assume, from that pattern, that as looking as an observer, it's 3 stars then an O then 2 stars (left to right). USMC would be the opposite, 2 then O then 3. USA/USAF would just have 2 ribbons. I can't find regs for that, it's in the old Medals of America Medals from 1939 to present book...and yes, I realize the post is around 1000 days old.
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