Posted on Feb 20, 2018
What is everyone's thought on wearing service ribbons in rows of 4 rather than the usual rows of 3?
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DA PAM 670-1 is the Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and paragraph 20–6.a.(2) states that "The determination of whether three or four ribbons are worn in each row is based upon the size of the coat and the position of the lapel." That said, the only photos I can find of people switching from the standard 3-across rack to the "grande" version are General Officers, Command Sergeants Major, and other ultra-senior service members.
I've been considering going big for a while to help with my OCD regarding alignment (4 across is a nearly identical width to the pocket), and now with the addition of 2 more hero medals, I'm starting think that it makes sense to go wide before I end up with a CIB on my shoulder!
Curious to get the group's throughs. Is 4-across something that people have seen in the real (non-Pentagon) world? Does it give off an air of pretentiousness or elitism that one may want to avoid? Does it risk giving some CSM a turrets tick because one of these things is not like the other? Or is it something that literally nobody has ever or will ever put this much thought into again.
I say again... OCD.
Thanks for the insight!
I've been considering going big for a while to help with my OCD regarding alignment (4 across is a nearly identical width to the pocket), and now with the addition of 2 more hero medals, I'm starting think that it makes sense to go wide before I end up with a CIB on my shoulder!
Curious to get the group's throughs. Is 4-across something that people have seen in the real (non-Pentagon) world? Does it give off an air of pretentiousness or elitism that one may want to avoid? Does it risk giving some CSM a turrets tick because one of these things is not like the other? Or is it something that literally nobody has ever or will ever put this much thought into again.
I say again... OCD.
Thanks for the insight!
Ribbons
Awards
Medals
Dress Uniform
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 39
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I rarely see ribbon racks four across. Usually the people that where four across are stacked with medals.
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So, for those who were following the headline news that is my ribbon rack, I finally bit the bullet and bought the 4-across model. The photo comparison below doesn’t do it justice (less hidden ribbons when worn vs. on a hanger), but I’m pretty darn happy with the shift that a wider rack affords to the badges above. No longer is my CIB maintaining proper cover and concealment! Bit a final decision by any means, still toying with the layout. Sad that the DA Pam calls for the bottom two rows to be the same width — this would make for a perfect 4-3-3-2-2 stack if that weren’t the case.
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CW3 (Join to see)
I am needing to go four wide simply because my lapel covers more than half on rows 3 & 4 otherwise. I have searched online for a 4 row mounting option. All I can find is the thin ribbons, which I don't like particularly. Where were you able to find a 4 row with space? Thanks in advance.
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I think it's a good idea if you have over 6 rows or more with a three bar (or 18+ individual ribbons). When you only have a handful of awards though it looks silly. If you're gonna do rows of 4, you should have a massive rack to justify it...
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I have only known a couple folks who wore the 4 ribbon rows and even then only a couple rows were 4 wide due to the lapel hiding ribbons. They were well and highly decorated, as they were Rangers and SF and had participated in most of the fun and games from Panama forward and for them the space gained in using 2 or three rows of 4 kept them from looking like north Korean generals.
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Best way to solve that problem quit handing out bullshit medals for wiping their ass. Eliminate worthless awards, ban them!
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MSgt Gerald Orvis
Couldn't agree more. Many of the current medals and ribbon-only awards are for participation (the Armed Forces Medal?? Please!). When I retired (1988), most troops just got a NDS Medal (aka The Firewatch Medal), and nothing else until they got their Good Conduct Medal. But I have a few suggestions: How about the Road Guard Ribbon? Or the I Painted Rocks Medal? Or the I Remembered How to Stand at Attention Ribbon? Or the I Stayed Married Medal? I could go on...
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SSG Kenneth Ponder
ASR,OSR,NPDR,AAM,ARCOM
If it's not a combat awd(valor) rescind&revoke. Ban the wear of it.
If it's not a combat awd(valor) rescind&revoke. Ban the wear of it.
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If you have a heavy rack, it can trim it up- any grizzled NCO will know the regs enough to not cause a fuss.
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When you have 26 separate awards it become necessary to go to rows of four in many cases. That is one reason senior enlisted and officers do it.
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Some Coast Guard/Navy folks have so many awards that they only wear enough to complete the top two rows of three across. I don't recall seeing four across in the sea services. See what your awards and decs manual sez and go with that.
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IIf the uniform regulations prescribe it- then do so- just be advised- it will probably look stupid.
In the Marine Corps, there are a specific number of ribbons that must be attained before you can switch to a “4 Stack”. Once u hit 15 ribbons, u are authorized to do it. Otherwise- everyone must wear the traditional 3 stack, regardless of how it makes their uniform look.
In the Marine Corps, there are a specific number of ribbons that must be attained before you can switch to a “4 Stack”. Once u hit 15 ribbons, u are authorized to do it. Otherwise- everyone must wear the traditional 3 stack, regardless of how it makes their uniform look.
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Consider the rules for weight, etc. Four ribbons might not fit right on a tailored uniform, which is why there is the choice of wearing all your ribbons or only the top one or two rows.
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