I am attending the Air Force NCO academy and I was told by the instructors and my chief that when I complete I rate the AF PME ribbon. This makes sense since I am CG attending the AF school but I was looking for some further guidance. Thank You

Guidance to Coasties, and what is authorized on their uniforms is given in Medals and Awards Manual. That makes more sense, doesn't it?

Maybe they should learn that!

Wray...

Yes, since you where part of the CG when you attended, you are entitled to wear the PME ribbon.

FYI: If someone earns a PME ribbon while a member of another branch (e.i. Air Force), then you are not entitled to wear it in CG uniform. Only if it is earned while in CG.

Enjoy your training and continue to make us look good!

That isn't exactly true. There are different levels of training that it is authorized to be worn for. The current Alcoast on this subject authorized the AF PME ribbon for the SNCOA but not for NCOA or ALS. I attended the NCOA as well and have not put on the ribbon due to the current policy. Search CG Central for the "current" alcoast, from a few years ago.

This is the only thing I have found about the matter, if there is something else please let me know:

R 041400Z MAR 99 ZYB ZUI ASN-D00063000259
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-W//
TO ALDIST
BT
UNCLAS//N01650//
ALDIST 077/99
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: DOD SENIOR ENLISTED ACADEMIES' PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT RIBBON
A. COAST GUARD MEDALS AND AWARDS MANUAL, COMDTINST M1650.25
(SERIES)
1. COAST GUARD SENIOR ENLISTED PERSONNEL HAVE ATTENDED THE
DOD SENIOR ENLISTED ACADEMIES SINCE 1981. SINCE THIS
PERIOD, U. S. ARMY AND U. S. AIR FORCE PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN
AUTHORIZED A UNIFORM AWARD AS DESCRIBED BELOW UPON
COMPLETION OF THE COURSE. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, POLICIES
HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO EXTEND AUTHORIZATION OF THIS AWARD.
2. THE U. S. ARMY NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT RIBBON (NPDR) WAS AWARDED TO ONLY ARMY MEMBERS
UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF DESIGNATED NCO PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT COURSES. THE AUTHORIZATION TO WEAR THE NPDR IS
NOW EXTENDED TO SENIOR ENLISTED OF OTHER SERVICES,
INCLUDING THE COAST GUARD UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE
U.S. ARMY SERGEANTS MAJOR ACADEMY (USASMA).
3. THE U. S. AIR FORCE HAS ALSO EXTENDED AUTHORIZATION TO
WEAR THE NCO PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION GRADUATE
RIBBON (NCOPMER) TO SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS OF OTHER
SERVICES, INCLUDING THE COAST GUARD UPON SUCCESSFUL
COMPLETION OF THE USAF SENIOR NCO ACADEMY.
4. ENTITLEMENT TO WEAR EITHER OF THE ABOVE RIBBONS IS
RETROACTIVE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE GRADUATION DATE FROM THE
SERVICE ACADEMY. THE NPD RIBBON WILL BE WORN WITH THE
BRONZE NUMERAL "4" IN THE CENTER OF THE RIBBON. THE
NUMERAL "4" DENOTES THE USASMA COURSE. THE CG SEA SERVICE
RIBBON WILL PRECEDE THE NPDR OR NCOPMER. THIS
AUTHORIZATION WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE NEXT CHANGE TO
REFERENCE A.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
6. RADM F. L. AMES, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR HUMAN
RESOURCES, SENDS.
BT
NNNN

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JBjunior,

Good research!

Note: I was basing my answer on the OP Profile being an E-6. So, in this case, I think the answer would still stand, right?

As Wray stated above...check out the latest edition of the medals and awards manual WHICH supercedes that ALCOAST from 1999 by a long shot.

So the correct answer is yes you may wear it...and if you go to ALS and the NCOA and the SNCOA you would have the ribbon and two bronze oakleafs.

RIF=Reading is Fundamental.

The AF PME is listed on the top of page 22-4 of Enclosure 22 of the M&A Manual.

I think you guys are still missing the point. The same ribbon is given to AF personnel regardless of whether they attend the ALS, NCOA Prep, NCOA, SNCOA or a few other courses. Yes, the ribbon listed "Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon" in the Medals and Award manual lists the ribbon which is used for every one of those courses. The only CG personnel as per the ALDIST authorized to wear the ribbon are ones who attended the SNCOA. Maybe I am missing it but where in the manual does it state that now NCOA and ALS graduates are authorized the ribbon? My point is that of course the ribbon is listed in the Awards manual, it is authorized for those who have attended the SNCOA afterall.... where is it written that it is extended to others? I am glad the AF gives it everyone who attends all of the different courses, the CG just hasn't caught up yet. Please prove me wrong so I can wear it.....


Further, they aren't issuing CG personnel the ribbon upon graduation either, at least not as of May.

Seems to me you missed the point. The current MANUAL supercedes the 10-year old ALDIST.

You can wear the ribbon on the CG uniform. If the AF didn't give you 1, pick up 1 at the AF exchange on your way home.

It may be that the only CG personnel that can wear this ribbon are those who attend a specific AF course. Then again, it may be that ANY CG member that attends 1 of these AF courses may be authorized to wear the AF ribbon. There's a POC in the manual, contact that office and get clarification.

Why don't GUARDIANS read?

This isn't the first time this subject has been discussed, google it as the CGChiefs have covered this topic as well. As I said, I want to wear the ribbon but to me it seems pretty simple. What in the current manual supercedes anything said in the 10-year old ALDIST? The ALDIST authorizes initial wear of the ribbon, as does the manual. The ALDIST specifies WHO can wear the ribbon, where is that addressed in the manual? Yes, the current manual was updated to account for the fact that the ribbon can be worn, I don't think the policy for who can wear it has changed. It doesn't matter when the ALDIST is from, what in the manual supercedes the policy of who can wear the ribbon?

The ALDIST even states that the change will be put in the next edition of the Awards manual, which is why it has the ribbon listed, but only for the SNCOA course.

I couldn't find a POC other than RDML Neptun, but an email was sent to get an answer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JBjunior,

JBjunior.. as recommended.. forget the Aldist.. READ the Manual. There should be nothing else to question.

Wray...

Of course everyone knows that an ALDIST or ALCOAST is only effective for 1 Year. After a year the guidance provided for in a message expires.

why oh why does this have to be so hard? Back in the day when we all had to know that an ALCOAST was a temporary guidance until a permenant change could be made in the CIM or CI's. We've given you the answer in several different ways. The ALCOAST has been superceded. Everyone had to know what the order of precedence was for publications, etc. But I digress.

Anyways, Chapter 1.H.3 is clear for both CG members and prior service personnel to wear all the decorations authorized on Enclosure 22....so that means if you graduate from another services school and it has a ribbon...you're authorized to wear it.

NOW, go to CIM1020.6F and visit the ribbons and the subsequent awards section...follow the direcctions for another services subsequent awards...in this case if you graduate from ALS then NCOA and lastly the AFSNCOA...you wear the ribbon with two bronze oak leaves.

I don't know how much clearer you want it....learn the precedence of publications, then read them.

RIF=reading is fundemental

Bob, the written words on this subject can not be any clearer..

The problem here is reading comprehension...

plain & simple.

Wray...

quote:

Originally posted by FlynnPatrick:
Of course everyone knows that an ALDIST or ALCOAST is only effective for 1 Year. After a year the guidance provided for in a message expires.

Actually Sir - I won't bust your chops about no such thing as an ALDIST - BUT I would hope that everyone knows that an ALCOAST is only good for NINETY DAYS. IF, and ONLY IF, it is ALSO a COMDT NOTE, that may extend the ORDER contained, but not the ALCOAST.

I think there is a lot of assuming going on. The owners of the manual are working on the question right now I should know something in the next few days.

Also, thanks for trying to make me look like I don't know the precedence of manuals/alcoasts. I wasn't saying the ALDIST wasn't superceded, I was stating that I didn't think the policy changed because there wasn't anything addressed about the subject in the manual.

I get what you are saying with the 1.H.3 MC Brayman and it does make sense. The AF gives the ribbon away like candy for prep courses and all kinds of other courses, it just seems the CG was trying to reserve it only for the SNCOA.

Odd or Interesting, but, looking at the USAF online awards manual about this ribbon. The USAF won't give it to their members for completion of mail order correspondance courses or attendance to other service training, unless it is the US Army or US Navy schools. No mention of the CG school.

Maybe a later ammendment ??

I'd bet that since the OP is going to the AF school on the CG's dime, this school is in the CG training system, yes?

quote:

I would hope that everyone knows that an ALCOAST is only good for NINETY DAYS. IF, and ONLY IF, it is ALSO a COMDT NOTE,

It is obvious they don't.

Wray...
P.S. When did they do away with ALDIST?

quote:

Originally posted by Mastersmate:
Odd or Interesting, but, looking at the USAF online awards manual about this ribbon. The USAF won't give it to their members for completion of mail order correspondance courses or attendance to other service training, unless it is the US Army or US Navy schools. No mention of the CG school.

Maybe a later ammendment ??

Which CG school are you referring to, the Chief's Academy? If so that would be a more recent change, they may have been going there for awhile (not sure) but I know there was a recent change that made it an official school for promotion purposes for them.