What situations are commonly accepted to be ok for someone to wear full medals vs. ribbons on their Army Dress Uniform?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 06:48:46 -0400

I've never seen anyone wearing full medals; is it just too flashy for most? Also, when wearing medals do you just omit the Army Service Ribbon?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 25 at 2020 7:04 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 07:04:19 -0400

If it's on your records, include it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2020 7:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 07:42:13 -0400

Formal dining events are a big one or if you attend a wedding/funeral in uniform those are all opportunities to wear them. Bewary of being too flashy though and that is perhaps why so many of us don't, but the Marines do all the time for events and their uniform is well regarded. . I have really never seen many people opt for the full medals over the ribbons, when given the opportunity I encourage you. Consider it a bit of pride in your accomplishments and an outward sign of esprit de corps. Perhaps it will inspire a junior in attendance.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2020 8:02 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 08:02:07 -0400

If wearing full or mini medals do no include the ribbons like OSR, ASR. Just leave em out

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 25 at 2020 10:33 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 10:33:20 -0400

To wear full medals is the highest level of formal dress, particularity if you don't have "Mess Dress"

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 25 at 2020 10:50 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 10:50:14 -0400

I think it's more the expense than anything else that prevents people from wearing full sized medals. For example, I went on Medals of America and built my medals as if I were going to wear them. I was lazy and skipped some devices, but the effect is the same. The cost? $345.

Not too many people wan't to plunk down several hundred dollars for something they'll wear every couple years, and is no good the instant you get another award.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Mar 25 at 2020 11:50 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 11:50:45 -0400

Sometimes it happens without your knowledge. I got some for stuff I did BUT
I retired in 93 and since then have received ... IDK ... 6 'back-ordered' medals?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 25 at 2020 12:36 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 12:36:11 -0400

You don't mix medals with ribbons. You omit the OSR and ASR per DA PaM 670-1 para 20-7.

They are worn on the ASU or the Dress Blue uniform. Wear is optional. The events are formal, like unit dining outs, unit balls, occasions of ceremony like military funerals, Veterans Day, etc.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2020 3:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 03:51:18 -0400

When I got married I wore full sized medals.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Mar 26 at 2020 9:47 AM

SFC Michael D. — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 09:47:47 -0400

I've actually seen this on Dress Whites. It looked really sharp. He had the sword also.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2020 9:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 09:55:12 -0400

You only wear medals in a medal set. If the award states ribbon, then there is no medal. So, you can never wear an army service medal since there is no such thing. Recently I've seen more Soldiers and NCOs wearing medal racks at dining outside and regimental dinners, but are a bit pricey.

Response by Cpl Charles Trump made Oct 15 at 2020 4:29 PM

Cpl Charles Trump — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 16:29:39 -0400

Well if your Army enlisted full size medals, not ribbons also (NOT!) are worn on the blues, like the Old Guard. Marine enlisted full medals are only authorized on Dress Blues. Ribbons only such as MUCS NUCS PUCS Sea Service CARS are worn on the right by themselves on the Blues.