I was recently picked up by the last SRDC Board for ROCI class 01-08. Because I'm prior service Army I wanted to get my ribbons/medals/awards situated prior to arriving. Of course it's months away but I don't want to wait until the last minute.

I have two main questions.

1. First is that I was awarded an Army Commendation Medal after I got out. (ETS award) Unfortunately it was after my DD-214 was completed and thus not reflected on it. I do have the orders for the award thankfully. How should I handle this? Wait till I process in the Coast Guard and show them? Or try to get my DD-214 updated or both?

2. My awards are as follows: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Army Overseas Ribbon. It's my belief that the Army Service Ribbon and Army Overseas Ribbon aren't authorized for wear on the Coast Guard uniform or am I wrong? Can someone help me with this or point me in the right direction?

Thanks for your help!

Sean

If it is isn't on you DD 214 it didn't happen... I would recommend you get that fixed.

The medals and awards manual should tell you what IS authorized on a CG uniform.. If it is not listed on the authorized ribbons, it is NOT authorized.

Wray...

According to the current Medals and Awards Manual, none of those are authorized. Period.

Only those awards earned while in the CG are currently authorized. You will hear a lot about what 'should' be or what 'used to' be, probably right after this post. As a prospective Officer, what you should be concerned about is what does the book say right now, which is you may only wear those awards earned while in the CG. You might se a change come out sooner or later, so keep that info handy, but for now keep them in your shadow box.

As for the DD-214, I found I can appeal or request an update online here: http://actsonline.army.mil

As for the awards and medals..that's surprising. I knew I couldn't wear my jump wings but the medals? I'm not trying to buck any system but I am disappointed.

Well, MC, I'll be the first one.

I have an Army Good Conduct Medal and an Army Overseas Service Ribbon, both in Direct Access.

They were, and to my knowledge, still are authorized.

We got into this discussion while I was at the CPO Academy, MCPO Ingram inquired about my Army Overseas Ribbon. It was authorized then, we looked it up.

The Reservist Magazine published a Uniform edition last year, and the two-sided centerfold showed the different uniforms on one side and ribbons/medals in order of precedence chart on the other. 119 medals/ribbons are displayed, both personal and unit, from the CMOH all the way down to the CG Pistol ribbon. Each medal that had other service equivalents showed all five awards, not just the CG.

Every award SeanFay listed above is on that ribbons/medals chart, except for his Basic Service Ribbon. That one has never been allowed in the CG since it was given to any and every soldier who completed Basic Training (both Enlisted and Officers).

I was in contact with a YNCM out of the MCPO-CG's office last summer, and was told there will be a new, all inclusive list of what is authorized to wear from all five services for Coasties. I just checked the Medals & Awards Manual on-line, but didn't find the list. I did find reference to a former soldier having earned a CIB being able to wear the CAR in lieu of as a Coastie.

I believe most of the uncertainty is not with personal awards but qualification devices.

Submariner pins, jump wings, air assault wings, jungle expert patches, diver pins, AF weather spotters, para-rescue, the list goes on.

The current qualification pin rule is, if it was earned while being a member of the CG, it's authorized for wear. If it was earned while being a prior member of that service, it is not authorized to wear as a current Coastie.

But almost all personal award medals/ribbons were always authorized between the services.

SeanFay:

A DD-215 (Correction to DD-214) is used to add items to your DD-214.

I submitted one for the Army in 1981, got the DD-215 back dated 5 Feb 1987. In other words, it might take a while. Start the paperwork TODAY!

Good luck.

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

Jerry,
Not disputing that you may have those in DA or on a DD-214. Something being in DA is not authority to wear it on your uniform though. Also not disputing that you earned them. I am sure that the Army GC WAS authorized, in an earlier version of the manuals. Earlier versions listed exactly which ones were and were not authorized. I hope to see some good changes in the upcoming revision that will clearly list what is and what is not authorized. I hope that it will be personal decorations good, all other, not good.

Last year my AF Commendation medal was added to DA. I just took my award documentation into the SPO and it was entered. I believe a correction to DD 214 would take alot longer. So it might be easier to just wait.

This question does indeed start another round of head and azz scratchin'. It's Monday.

I do believe though, that the Decorations and Service Medals are authorized for wear. The Service Ribbon (only) are not and fall into that " other awards" catagory.

Quick re-type from the Medals & Awards Manual

1-H-3

Wearing of Decorations and Awards. Recipients of decorations, service medals and other awards are authorized to wear them in accordance with the provisions of this Manual and the applicable provisions concerning awards contained in the Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series).

Federal Military Decorations and Service Medals include :

Personal Decorations

Army Commendation Medal , Army Achievment Medal -

Service or Campaign Medals

Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Expeditionary Service Medal

No fat into the fire, but a differing interpretation. Those listed in the manual seem to be the only ones the CG has any paperwork connection with regarding the awarding.

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

I have both a phonecall and an E-mail into the powers that be, and hopefully we'll hear something back soon...

Good deal. I will be looking forward to that info. Plenty of Prior service guys that are wondering the same things.

Unless there is a "new" change in the works, probably is. But the only army ribbon not normally recognized by the CG is the Army Service ribbon, which is normally awarded to those army troops after successful completion of army bootcamp. What reason, other than saying "you cant" would the army achievement/commendation medals not be authorized on a CG uniform? being totally naive to the other armed forces uniform regs is not good buisiness, "which is important in my opinion". If someone is wearing it, they must have earned it. When I hear of silly things like this, it makes me so mad it makes me act like a mad dog.....oooops, I've used that line already.

chapwood................

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

ALCOAST 056/08
COMDTNOTE 1020
SUBJ: RESULTS OF UNIFORM BOARD NO. 42
A. UNIFORM REGULATIONS, COMDTINST M1020.6 (SERIES)
1. THIS ALCOAST REPORTS THE RESULTS FROM UNIFORM BOARD NO. 42. THE
FOLLOWING CHANGES HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND ARE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:
A. CARDIGAN SWEATERS AND WOOLY-PULLYS ARE NO LONGER AUTHORIZED FOR
WEAR WITH THE OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM (ODU).
B. FEMALE MEMBERS HAIR SHALL BE WORN IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: ALL
PONYTAILS AND LONG HAIR, INCLUDING BRAIDS, MUST BE NEATLY AND
INCONSPICUOUSLY FASTENED, PINNED OR SECURED TO THE HEAD AND MUST
NOT FALL BELOW THE LOWER EDGE OF THE COLLAR. NO PORTION OF THE
BULK OF THE HAIR AS MEASURED FROM THE SCALP WILL EXCEED TWO INCHES.
C. E-7 AND ABOVE ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE COAST GUARD BRIDGE
COAT AS AN OPTIONAL ITEM.
D. THE REGULAR AUTHORIZED-SIZE TACLET, PSU, AND COMPANY COMMANDER
INSIGNIA ARE: TACLET 2-3/8 INCHES X 1 INCH, PSU 2-5/16 INCHES X
15/16 INCHES, AND COMPANY COMMANDER 2 INCHES X 15/16 INCHES. THE
LARGER LEGACY INSIGNIA WILL NO LONGER BE AUTHORIZED FOR WEAR AFTER
31 MARCH 2008.
2. THE FOLLOWING ITEM WILL UNDERGO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT: BLUE T-
SHIRT WITH 3/4-INCH EMBROIDERED WHITE LETTERS ON LEFT BREAST AS
OPTIONAL WEAR TO BE WORN WITH THE ODU WHEN TOP IS REMOVED.
3. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE REVIEWED AND DISAPPROVED:
A. ADOPTION OF THE EIGHT-POINT COVER.
B. ELIMINATION OF THE COMBINATION COVER FOR E-6 AND BELOW.
C. WEAR OF THE GARRISON CAP WITH THE ODU.
D. WEAR OF PRIOR COMMANDING OFFICER AND/OR OFFICER IN CHARGE
DEVICES ON THE ODU.
E. WEAR OF PRIOR SERVICE INSIGNIA NOT EARNED WHILE IN THE COAST GUARD
F. WEAR OF TEMPORARY INSIGNIA ON ODU.
G. WEAR OF BALL CAPS OFF UNIT OR MILITARY INSTALLATION WHILE IN
TROPICAL BLUE LONG UNIFORM; BALL CAP WEAR OPTIONS DETAILED ON PAGE
3-18 OF REF A ARE STILL APPLICABLE.
H. WEAR OF ANODIZED MEDALS.
I. CREATION OF AN INDEPENDENT-DUTY HEALTH SERVICES TECHNICIAN
BADGE.
J. WEAR OF CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER SPECIALTY INSTEAD OF RANK ON THE
FOUL WEATHER PARKA TAB.
K. CHANGE THE METHOD OF ODU SLEEVE ROLLING.
L. ELIMINATE THE COMBINATION COVER WITH ALL DINNER DRESS JACKET
UNIFORMS.
M. GIG LINE MODIFICATIONS.
N. ADDING COAST GUARD RATE INSIGNIA ONTO THE SDB LAPEL.
O. WEAR OF NAME TAGS AND RIBBONS ON LONG-SLEEVE SHIRT AND TIE
WITHOUT THE SDB JACKET.
P. WEAR OF AIR FORCE DRESS TROUSERS WITH THE SDB.
4. THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND
PARTICIPATION ON THIS UNIFORM BOARD: CAPT MICHAEL COSENZA,
COMMODORE HENRY PRATT, CDR LAURIE MOSIER, LCDR REED KOHBERGER, MR.
CAROL BREWTON, MR. JOE DEBLASE, LT JENNIFER SINCLAIR, LT THOMAS
STOKES, LT CHRIS PARRISH, LT MICHAEL BOWMAN, MR. WILLIAM BROADAWAY,
CWO MICHAEL HILL, CWO TARVIN GREENE, MCPO WILLIAM JAMES, MCPO KEVIN
ISHERWOOD, MCPO ANN TUBBS, AND CPO CRYSTAL SPARKS.
5. ALL MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMANDANT (CG-1221), THRU THEIR CHAIN OF
COMMAND AND THEIR PROGRAM MANAGER.
6. AREA AND DISTRICT COMMANDERS; COMMANDERS, MAINTENANCE AND
LOGISTIC COMMANDS; SECTOR COMMANDERS; COMMANDING OFFICERS OF
HEADQUARTERS UNITS; ASSISTANT COMMANDANTS FOR DIRECTORATES; CHIEF
COUNSEL AND SPECIAL STAFF OFFICES AT HEADQUARTERS, PLEASE ENSURE
THE WIDEST DISSEMINATION OF THIS ALCOAST.
7. THESE CHANGES WILL BE REFLECTED IN A FUTURE CHANGE TO REF (A).
8. FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT CWO GREENE AT (202) 474-5369 OR EMAIL
TARVIN.T.GREENE (AT) USCG.MIL.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
10. RDML DANIEL A. NEPTUN, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, SENDS.

I'd say the most recent ALCOAST makes it pretty clear....at least for now until there is an awards manual update, at which point all the confusion will begin again! Been waiting on that update for a good decade now! I suppose one could use a bit of circular logic and debate what exactly an "insignia" is, but I think most understand the intent? Once again the uniform board has made everything clear as mud! -Jeff

"Insignia" refers to qual badges and chest cany i.e. jump wings, SW, coxswain pin. Not to medals and awards.

Thanks for the message post. But ribbons and or medals have never been considered "insignias". But what do I know, only been kicking my poor dog 27 years now dealing with this kinda stuff.

chapwood.........

Jerry - hopefully you get a response. Next time I bump in to Mr Greene, I will give him a hard time too. There needs to be a clear answer in writing, from the folks who write the instruction. I am sure most folks would find it silly to have someone wear the USAF 'i graduated boot camp' ribbon or both the USN and USCG pistol ribbons, and stupid for someone with a CMH not to be able to wear it. It is just all of those in between. I only comment on what the rules actually say.

quote:

Originally posted by seanbob:
"Insignia" refers to qual badges and chest cany i.e. jump wings, SW, coxswain pin. Not to medals and awards.

Yeah, I agree. That's what I took it to mean too. So I wont, as much as I want to, wear my jump wings.

And I wasn't a 5 jump chump either! haha

quote:

Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Army Overseas Ribbon. It's my belief that the Army Service Ribbon and Army Overseas Ribbon aren't authorized for wear on the Coast Guard uniform or am I wrong? Can someone help me with this or point me in the right direction?

You can wear "personal and campaign awards". You are correct in that the Army Service and Overseas Ribbons aren't authorized. Those other awards are personal or campaign. Just remember that when get the CG equivelant; for example the CG Good Conduct that the CG one is the most current thus worn before your Army Good Conduct.

Insignia or Qualification badges are NOT authorized unless earned while in the CG. See the Uniform Board Results posted by a previous poster.

If you have any other questions, just give me a holler.

See, you will have to look in the regs yourself and decide if you want to do what you think you should be able to do, what you think it says you can do or what it actually specifically says you can. When MC Brayman has a different opinion then I do, it gives me great pause to question mine. I did, and I dont see it written as he does, so that can only mean it is written poorly!

I can't understand why something this simple can not be addressed by those in HQ... It give the appearance that they don't give a $hit.

Sad.. very Sad.

Wray..

Perhaps...just perhaps. I found an answer:
http://www.uscg.mil/reserve/magazine/mag2006/Special%20...rm/UniformIssue2.pdf

According to the 2006 Coast Guard Reservist Magazine - Uniform Issue. Pages 37 and 38, the medal and ribbon chart shows them on there. It also reads, "This chart is a comprehensive and ordered list of all Coast Guard, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept. of Transportation and Dept. of Defense medals and ribbons authorized for wear on the Coast Guard uniforms. For official guidance, please refer to the Medal and Awards Manual (COMDT Instruction M1650.25 series)"

Ok, that all said it shows everything but my Army Service Ribbon, as JerryG and MastersMate said were not authorized as far as they knew.
So...this is a 2006 listing. I dunno? Good info or no?