Why are we only allowed to wear one NATO Ribbon?

2021-05-12T23:34:10-04:00

The question is probably unanswerable, but why do you think that we are not allowed to wear the other ribbons if earned?

All of the ribbons are different in appearance (with exception to the non-article 5 for GWOT) and are awarded for different missions and time periods.

NATO Medals
- Article 5
- Non-Article 5
- Kosovo
- Balkans
- Operation Active Endeavor

Additionally, why do you think we're not allowed to wear them with the devices NATO authorizes? For example if you were involved in Resolute Support / Freedom's Sentinel an Afghanistan Service Bar comes with the medal and ribbon for our NATO allies, but we are not authorized those devices. I find that interesting since during World War II and Korea we used service bars on our medals.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2021 11:39 PM

2021-05-12T23:39:06-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Try to Google your question... they may have an answer or direct you accordingly.

Response by LTC John Mohor made May 12 at 2021 11:43 PM

2021-05-12T23:43:12-04:00

NATO isn’t the country you swore an oath to. It’s part of how it was all worked out with the US agreements. After Desert Storm US personnel didn’t receive some of the money/ gold offered by The Kuwait and Saudi Governments because US Soldiers don’t serve as a mercenary Army! Just chalk it up to that’s the rule and regulation. A lot of us never even earned or wanted to earn a UN or NATO Medal.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2021 12:46 AM

2021-05-13T00:46:13-04:00

Per the reg you found, US uniform standard is to wear one ribbon with attachments to indicate multiple awards.

Otherwise we’d all me walking around like North Korean generals.

I would like to see a simpler ribbon rack where redundant awards are removed when a more descriptive medal is earned

For example, with the award of the AFG campaign medal one should cease wearing national defense and GWOT in order to clean up the rack. AFG implied the other two.

It’s how many non circular medals one has not how many circular participation medals.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 13 at 2021 12:46 AM

2021-05-13T00:46:24-04:00

If you look at our allied nations, they wear several, some exclusively NATO medals.

I believe the AR600-8-22 logic is that it’s the same decoration, so you wear it and if you’ve got more than 1 you wear a single appurtenance on it. The US doesn’t allow the mission clasp to be worn. Last decorations with a clasp were during Vietnam.

Response by Wayne Soares made May 13 at 2021 6:59 AM

2021-05-13T06:59:06-04:00

Thanks for the question Robert

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2021 9:18 AM

2021-05-13T09:18:07-04:00

I worked with the Spanish Army and many had no awards. There were Captains with a single award and it was from another country.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made May 15 at 2021 5:00 PM

2021-05-15T17:00:37-04:00

A Pfc worried about ribbons