When are appropriate times to wear mini medals/ribbons?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 10:03:47 -0400

Mini Ribbons and Mini Medals.
What are your thoughts on them in professional civilian photos (like you would see on Linkedin) do you think it adds or detracts? And just to confirm it’s only really appropriate for like A USMC Ball or VFW event? I don’t plan on wearing my ribbons everywhere or constantly reminding people to TMFMS. I just want to get good guidance on what is appropriate. Thank you!

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jun 30 at 2020 10:52 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 10:52:53 -0400

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member I honestly think it's fine if a civilian wants to wear their mini ribbons/medals. It is something they earned when they got out of services. If it makes them happy who am I to judge. I don't think it makes them any less unprofessional IMHO. I think it would be a little gaudy to have full ribbons/medals however. But again that is my own opinion.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 30 at 2020 10:56 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 10:56:15 -0400

To a military themed event or location? It's appropriate.

On LinkedIn? Not so much. What's the message being sent? "I require civilian employment, but am unable to let go of my military past, so it's likely I won't be able to adapt or conform to a new environment, making my hire more of a liability than value added"?

Response by Maj Charles Porter made Jun 30 at 2020 11:45 AM

Maj Charles Porter — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 11:45:29 -0400

I wear them at formal occasions, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Marine Corps Birthday and the birthday of all the other services. I wear full sized medals too all the above when not in formal attire. The Brits, French, and others aren't reluctant to wear their medals.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 11:50 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 11:50:20 -0400

Mini medals go with the Blue Mess uniform....

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Jun 30 at 2020 4:25 PM

1SG Charles Hunter — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 16:25:31 -0400

Mini ribbons look neat on your civilian blazer at a veterans organization function. In evening dress uniform, mini medals are appropriate.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 1 at 2020 9:19 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 21:19:37 -0400

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member Several years ago, at a black tie event, I noticed a very small ribbon in Fred Blank’s lapel. I had never met him before and asked what the mini ribbon was. Fred said it was a Silver Star from his actions during WW II. He had arrived in Europe a few days after D-Day. We became ‘friends’.

Fred is now 102 years of age, aging and it is a rare treat to chat with him on the telephone.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 2 at 2020 12:46 AM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 00:46:41 -0400

Ive been retired a long time now Sgt Private RallyPoint Member but Ill wear them to VFW events, patriotic observances and Ill usually have something on my jacket lapel, Vietnam vet or Airborne. We should be proud of our service Garret, we few and far between.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jul 2 at 2020 8:12 AM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 08:12:16 -0400

I believe the formal guidance is found in the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, Chapter 5; 5203, page 1-122:

5. Wear on Civilian Evening Clothes
a. Males. Miniature medals may be worn on the left lapel of the civilian evening coat on ceremonial occasions, but only when strictly appropriate to the occasion. On the full dress and tuxedo coats, miniatures will be worn centered on the wearer's left lapel, placed horizontally and one inch below the end of the collar gorge. The top edge of the holding bar will completely cover the buttonhole. If current styles preclude wearing on the lapel, miniatures will be placed in the same relative position as if there was a lapel.

I believe this is generally interpreted such that you'd only wear miniature medals on civilian black/white tie at a function strictly linked to the Service, or some other veterans'/patriotic event. The enamel "pins" were created to somewhat bridge the gap between these and semi-formal day wear (i.e., a suit or blazer), and are usually more appropriate for less formal functions. For example, I wear a miniature enamel pin of my highest awarded medal (MSM) or (never "and") my Afghanistan campaign medal enamel pin with suit and tie for many occasions.

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made Jul 2 at 2020 2:15 PM

1LT Vance Titus — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:15:59 -0400

I think I must be missing something. On a cruise a few years ago I met a gentleman at dinner who was wearing a miniature CIB on his jacket lapel. He was a WWII vet and we had a wonderful conversation. At another dinner event I met a gentleman who had Corps of Engineer buttons on his blue blazer. We talked a long time that evening. Years earlier at a business awards luncheon I shared a table with a gentleman who was wearing a miniature bronze star on his lapel. He was a Viet Vet and we had many similar memories. Wearing a mini-ribbon or similar device seems to me to be a statement of patriotism and pride in one's service to our country. I proudly wear a miniature purple heart on my suit jacket lapel. At a recent local high school dedication event a gentleman came up to me and started telling me about his service in Vietnam. I am proud to have served my country and am not ashamed to show off that pride.

Response by Sgt Dave Huff made Dec 8 at 2020 10:50 AM

Sgt Dave Huff — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 10:50:58 -0500

I am a member of the Vocal Majority, a very large men's chorus, and we sing at Vet's day ceremonies at a large cemetery in Dallas. The ceremony draws several thousand people and I wear my rather small insignificant rack there. If there are any other patriotic gigs, I'll wear them there. Otherwise, no.

Response by CPL Raul Perez Jr made Dec 8 at 2020 3:38 PM

CPL Raul Perez Jr — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 15:38:52 -0500

I wear my mini wings on my 101st cap. I believe we have earn ribbons not to show off, but acknowledge the brotherhood we have earn together.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Dec 10 at 2020 8:16 AM

SFC Robert Walton — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:16:05 -0500

I don't know i wear My hat. Wearing any of the ribbons Medals just gives you something else you have to maintain and explain. MTC

Response by PO1 William Wade made Dec 10 at 2020 11:27 AM

PO1 William Wade — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 11:27:27 -0500

I personally don't wear them but my grandfather was in WWI and earned one medal that he proudly wore to church and any official town meeting. Was it right? Who knows, all I can say is my grandfather was proud of it and wore it proudly.