The Missouri National Guard (MNG) follows national military award standards for ribbon criteria while incorporating state-specific decorations. This article explains how ribbons are earned, how they are displayed, and where to find official guidance. It covers eligibility, precedence, devices, and recommended display practices for uniforms used by Missouri National Guard personnel.
Overview Of Ribbon Eligibility And Standards
Ribbons in the Missouri National Guard are governed by the same foundational criteria used across the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. Ribbons represent specific acts, service periods, or achievements and are earned through formal recognition processes. The primary reference for federal decorations is Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), which defines eligibility, order of precedence, and device usage. State-level awards, by contrast, are issued under Missouri National Guard regulations and directives and are intended to recognize meritorious service within the state mission set.
Federal Ribbon Criteria (AR 600-8-22) Relevant To MNG Personnel
All Missouri National Guard members should understand how federal ribbons are earned and displayed. Key points include:
- Qualification Ribbons reflect completed courses, unit deployments, or specific operations. They require documented action and timely submission of award recommendations.
- Personal Decorations include commendations and valor awards, which demand rigorous justification and command endorsement.
- Service And Training Ribbons recognize documented service in particular operations, campaigns, or professional development programs.
- Devices such as bronze or silver oak leaf clusters, service stars, or campaign stars are added to ribbons to denote multiple awards or phases of a single award.
State Awards Specific To Missouri Guard
Missouri-specific decorations supplement federal awards. While the exact list and criteria are published by the Missouri National Guard, typical state recognition categories may include:
- Missouri Distinguished Service Ribbon (example category acknowledging exceptional service to the state or the Missouri National Guard).
- Missouri Commendation Medal (example for notable contributions to state missions or public service).
- Missouri Service Ribbon (acknowledging extended or exemplary service within state activities).
Actual Missouri State awards, their exact names, and criteria are published in official MO National Guard awards directives. Personnel should consult the latest MO-NG Administrative or Regulation documents or their unit awards clerk for precise language and eligibility requirements.
Display Regulations And Precedence On Uniforms
Display rules determine how ribbons are worn on all uniforms, the order of precedence, and when state versus federal awards appear. The following guidelines reflect standard practice and state supplements:
- Order Of Precedence ribbons are worn from the wearer’s left to right in order of importance, with the most prestigious awards placed highest on the chest. When both federal and state awards are worn, federal ribbons typically take precedence in the upper rows, followed by state ribbons in lower rows, as directed by MO-NG policy and AR 670-1 alignment.
- Groupings Typically, ribbons are arranged in multiple rows on the left side of the uniform, with space appropriate to the number of awards. High-precedence awards appear on the top row.
- Devices Add devices (e.g., bronze/silver oak leaf clusters, stars) to indicate multiple awards. The size, color, and placement of devices must follow AR 600-8-22 standards
- Wear On Different Uniforms The same principle applies to Class A and Class B uniforms adapted for Missouri National Guard use. Specific guidance for service uniforms is published in MO-NG uniform regulations and the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) guidance used by the state.
- Temporary And Special Looks Some events or ceremonies may permit temporary display or rainproofing; always refer to current MO-NG directives for authorized exceptions.
How To Determine Eligibility And Recommend Awards
Unit awards committees and state award boards coordinate the recognition process. Typical steps include:
- Documented Action An act, deployment, or service clearly meeting award criteria must be documented in the member’s official record.
- Command Recommendation The unit commander reviews eligibility and endorses the award.
- Approval And Issuance Awards are issued through the MO-NG awards program and added to the service record and uniform display as appropriate.
Personnel should maintain updated personnel files and consult their unit awards clerk if they believe they qualify for a federal or state ribbon not yet listed in their records.
Practical Display Tips For Missouri National Guard Members
To ensure consistent and compliant display of ribbons, consider these practical tips:
- Keep Records Current Update awards as soon as they are approved in official records to avoid delays in displaying them during ceremonies.
- Verify Precedence Confirm the current national and Missouri state order of precedence before ceremonial wear, especially when new awards are earned.
- Use Correct Uniform Variant Wear ribbons on the appropriate uniform (Class A, Class B, or ACU) as prescribed by MO-NG and Army directives.
- Consult Official References Always reference the latest Army Regulation 670-1, AR 600-8-22, and Missouri National Guard awards directives for exact rules, device usage, and display limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a ribbon is earned but not yet issued? Members should continue to wear only recognized and officially issued ribbons. Pending awards are not displayed until approved and documented.
How are foreign awards treated? Foreign awards may be worn on the right side or as authorized by AR 600-8-22 and MO-NG policies, with proper documentation and translation where applicable.
Who approves state decorations? A state awards board or a designated MO-NG authority reviews and approves state-level ribbons, following established criteria and regulations.
Resources And Official References
For authoritative guidance, units should refer to:
- Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards)
- Army Regulation 670-1 (Wear And Appearance Of Army Uniforms)
- Missouri National Guard Awards Directives and Administrative Procedures
- Unit Awards Clerk and State Awards Advisor contact information