Wearing a ribbon with more than 4 devices

CPO Jon Campbell — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 18:40:19 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 6 at 2014 11:53 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 11:53:41 -0400

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

Response by CMC Robert Young made Sep 6 at 2014 12:14 PM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:14:01 -0400

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.

Response by CMSgt Mark Lewis made Nov 20 at 2014 11:36 AM

CMSgt Mark Lewis — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 11:36:48 -0500

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.

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Apr 18 at 2015 6:19 AM

Cpl Christopher Bishop — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 06:19:14 -0400

I would think the O-Device is either junior to, or senior to, the 4 stars, thus either way it should be on an end of the ribbon, not the center.

If you earned 5 of the same award, the ribbon counts as the First, the 4 stars are re-awards 2-3-4-5. How many of them were earned as also assigned the O device?

Im not any official rulebook here, but my gut-check says if I had 5 awards, and 3 were with the device, and 2 were not, then it seems wearing 2 of the same ribbon next to each other, the junior having 1 star, and the senior having 2 stars AND the O-Device wouldn't be unreasonable. I say this simply out of not "overstating" that ALL of them were warranting the device.

I have seem 2 Bronze Star ribbons worn similarly, the senior having the V Device (valor), the other plain. But I confess that just because I've SEEN it doesn't necessarily mean its fully correct (and I'm talking about well-intentioned military folks, don't get me started on the Stolen Valor asshats).

Anyone is welcome to point out where I got this wrong, from an actual Regs perspective, if you are indeed able.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Dec 2 at 2015 2:35 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:35:32 -0500

Go to the nearest ARMY post, to the PX/BX and buy your rack. Hopefully they will also have some input but I personally would do what you have outlined.
Thanks,
Rick

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Dec 4 at 2015 2:00 PM

SSgt Michael Cox — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 14:00:06 -0500

I know for my AF Outstanding Unit Award since I have a Valor pin and just under the amount to switch from bronze to my third silver device on the ribbon I had to add a second ribbon of the same type next to it which is authorized.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2017 9:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 21:44:13 -0400

Not sure about the coast guard, but in the Army you wear a second ribbon. Let's say you earn a 10th AAM (Army Achievement Medal), you can't wear a silver oakleaf and 4 bronze oakleaf (9+Ribbon=10) so you would wear one ribbon with a silver oak leaf and 3 bronze oakleaf (equals 9) and the 10th award would be a blank ribbon to the wearers left of the other AAM.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 14 at 2017 7:23 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 19:23:41 -0400

I guess you have to wait for the platinum version to come out?

Response by MSG David Johnson made Feb 11 at 2018 2:13 PM

MSG David Johnson — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 14:13:04 -0500

I was curious as to what the O device was so I googled it. This is what Wikipedia has to say about the CG O device.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_Distinguishing_Device

Operational Distinguishing Device - Wikipedia

The Operational Distinguishing Device ("O" device) is a miniature silver 516 inch letter "O" that is authorized by the United States Coast Guard as a ribbon device[1]which may be authorized for wear on certain awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard.[2]