I don't know why I bother with such trivia, but I'm wondering about the "Ribbon Checker" on the Members Deck page of the Aux Web page (http://ribbons.cgaux.info/bin-cgi/ribbons.pl?/config.txt). I'm prior service (22 yrs AF) and have a few trinkets from that organization. I've always added the Aux awards in precedence below the AF ribbons. The Ribbon Checker intermingles them. Is this correct? Also, some of the ribbons I've earned (National Defense, AF years of service (longevity?), SAMER, etc.) are not shown in the table. Are they still appropriate?

Robert Carr

I've been doing mix and match for years depending on the award. Given that the Aux wants members to think that an "I've put in 750 hours" award trumps a Marine Good Conduct Medal is civilian arrogance.
Arranging the ribbons by:
1. Personal awards
2. Unit awards
3. BTDT awards (including National Defense, BTW)
4. Annual Performance awards
5. Look Mom, I'm a VE, etc.
Works for me.
Then again I usually just wear 6 personals and blow off the rest unless I'm in my "Admiral's Costume".
Nobody seems to complain.

quote:

Originally posted by KD8FQM:
I don't know why I bother with such trivia, but I'm wondering about the "Ribbon Checker" on the Members Deck page of the Aux Web page (http://ribbons.cgaux.info/bin-cgi/ribbons.pl?/config.txt). I'm prior service (22 yrs AF) and have a few trinkets from that organization. I've always added the Aux awards in precedence below the AF ribbons. The Ribbon Checker intermingles them. Is this correct? Also, some of the ribbons I've earned (National Defense, AF years of service (longevity?), SAMER, etc.) are not shown in the table. Are they still appropriate?

Robert Carr

The ribbon checker is correct. As a CG Aux member and wearing the CG uniform, then CG awards precedence takes effect. Two Aux Manuals ago, the change was made.
Part 2 scroll down, the National Defense award is there.
Part 3 - if the award is not listed on the ribbon checker, it is because the CG awards manual says it not authorized. Not every service recongizes all the other services awards. It is a CG uniform, CG rules apply.

civilian arrogance

The Auxiliary award precedence is set by the Commandant, a military officer the last time I looked. The precedence is in the AuxMan, a Commandant Instruction. I fail to see where there is civilian arrogance.

The real reason for the precedence is in the AuxMan:

AuxMan 11.G.Introduction (emphasis added)

quote:

The Auxiliary’s Awards, as the parent organization, will precede all other
organizational awards, except as noted. DOT awards are listed, but other civilian
Governmental departments, international, and foreign awards may be appropriately worn. Information on other award precedence not shown is available from the Chief Director (G-WPM-1) or as found in the Coast Guard Medals and Awards Manual, COMDTINST M1650.25 (series), or Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series). When the wearing of ribbons is required, Auxiliarists may wear all ribbons authorized, their three senior ribbons or their choice of nine of their authorized
ribbons.

Auxiliary awards that are similiar to Real Coast Guard awards take precedence over the Coast Guard award. For example, regarding the similiar recruitng awards:

AuxMan 11.A.10.g. Award Precedence and Order

quote:

The Auxiliary Recruiting Service Award precedence is immediately above the Coast Guard Recruiting ribbon in the Auxiliary Award order of precedence.

I've been doing mix and match for years depending on the award.

So much for the oath and that part about following the Commandant's instrucitons. Oh, I forgot the new mantra:

quote:

There is no one right way to be an Auxiliarist.

I guess the Auxiliary of One is still in full flower.

Then again I usually just wear 6 personals

The AuxMan, the Book of Suggestions, allows for a personal choice of highest 3, any 9 or all. There is no '6' option in the Book of Suggestions.

AuxCur has it right. The current order of precedence dates back 2 AuxMans and at least 10 years.

quote:

Originally posted by FL51D7:
civilian arrogance

The Auxiliary award precedence is set by the Commandant, a military officer the last time I looked. The precedence is in the AuxMan, a Commandant Instruction. I fail to see where there is civilian arrogance.

FL
Point well taken. BUT - it riles some of us to have 99 hours take precendence over awards (individual and team operational awards) that have been earned the hard way - by actually doing something on the water.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SARDOG1sr,

BUT - it riles some of us to have 99 hours take precendence over awards (individual and team operational awards) that have been earned tghe hard way - by actually doing something on the water.

I understand and agree. I had the same reaction to having 2 Fear of the Dreaded Papercut Awards take precedence over a heroism award.

For many moons, the Plaque of Merit, the highest award for Auxie heroism, was also the higherst Auxie award. That was the way it was and should have remained.

Then the Powers-that-be decided that the Auxie Distinguished Service Award should be created and given the highest precedence. I was never able to pin down the exact date but that was sometime in the early 1990s. At least in the beginning, Bilge Mice could and did earn the award. Then it quickly became the end-of-tour award for NACO and other Poobahs. And the Bilge Mice were pretty much shut out of the award.

Then to add insult to injury, NACO Gene began the process to create the Legion of Demerit and give it precedence below the Distinguished Service Award but above the Plaque of Merit. The Legion of Demerit also is pretty much reserved for the Nat staff - Bilge Mice need not apply.

I saw and used to have a copy of the original 'justification' for the Legion of Dermerit. The sole justification was that the Aux did not have a Legion of Demerit award. The Aux did not and does not have a lot of awards to parallel the Real Coast Guard. Anyway, I ran a little campaigh against the recommendation. I also predicted that if it passed NACO Gene would be the first recipient. I'm not claiming any credit but the proposal did fail the first time. Under NACO Steve the propsoal was brought up again and passed. And sure enough NACO Gene was the first recipient - in his role as NIPCO. I could find no other instance of a NIPCO getting an award for being NIPCO. NACO Gene had won a 2nd DSA for beign NACO - his first had been as a DCO.

I see nothing wrong at all with Aux awards having precedence over similar awards from non-CG military services considering that the person wearing them is doing so as an Auxie. I would consider it a privilege that any awards other than those earned as an Auxie are allowed to be worn at all.

That being said, I agree with FL about the relative importance of the Plaque of Merit and the Aux DSM. I would probably put both of them lower on the order of precdence for personal decorations than they are now.

Kipling never served a day in uniform, but had a thorough knowledge of the way things worked.


The General got 'is decorations thick
(The men that backed 'is lies could
not complain),
The Staff 'ad D.S.O.'s till we was sick...