US Campaign Ribbons

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 27th July 09, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by ceilidh_gal

I recently bought a kilt outfit for my dad (he doesn't know yet). In gathering together the accessories, I remembered seeing men (and a woman) wearing US military campaign ribbons on their Prince Charlies in formal settings...what is the proper protocol on that? Do you have a reference?

As has been stated elsewhere, it is inappropriate to wear ribbon bars with formal highland attire (see AR 670-1). Instead of ribbons, miniatures of decorations and medals are worn after 6PM. While there are specific regulations regarding the wearing of miniature medals on military uniforms, the protocols followed when in civilian attire are slightly different:

The top row of medals should be centered on the left lapel, approximately 1-inch below the notch in the left lapel, with the right hand medal one inch from the inner edge of the lapel. When the Prince Charlie is put on, the top of the ribbons from which the miniature medals are suspended should be parallel with the floor.

Because the number of medals will vary between individuals, it is perfectly okay to "adjust" them slightly to give a neat and balanced appearance, as long as they remain on the lapel. It is alright to have them continue past the lapel onto the breast of the jacket, but it is considered "bad form" to have them pinned directly on the breast.

The best way to obtain a set of miniature medals for your father (and I think that is one of the most elegant things anyone has ever suggested doing here on XMTS) would be to scan in his ribbon bars, and forward the scan to one of the medal suppliers (try www.usamilitarymedals.com) who will then properly mount your father's miniatures.

Best Regards
Scott

**macwilkin** · 27th July 09, 10:53 AM

Another good source for information regarding the wearing of medals and decorations with civilian attire may be found here:

http://www.hereditary.us/gent.htm

Regards,

Todd

**davedove** · 27th July 09, 10:56 AM

I know the Army has regulations, and I'm sure the other services do as well, about how veterans should wear medals on civilian clothing.

All of us who have earned medals, whether many or just a few, are proud of them. But part of that pride should be doing things the right way.

**WARPIPER** · 27th July 09, 11:14 AM

Marlow White is a military uniform company. In my army days Officers had to buy all our own uniforms and they were the place to go. In the awards area of their web site, they have a link to the different uniform regulation that is downloadable (pdf). I know that the Army has a section for civilian wear of awards that is quite useful. http://www.marlowwhite.com/

**macwilkin** · 27th July 09, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by WARPIPER

Marlow White is a military uniform company. In my army days Officers had to buy all our own uniforms and they were the place to go. In the awards area of their web site, they have a link to the different uniform regulation that is downloadable (pdf). I know that the Army has a section for civilian wear of awards that is quite useful. http://www.marlowwhite.com/

See also: http://www.marlowwhite.com/army-awards-FAQ.html

T.

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 27th July 09, 12:33 PM

The applicable AR is mostly devoted to uniform wear. The brief civilian paragraph is quoted below:

30-6. Wear of medals on civilian clothes

Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature. Personnel may wear either full-size or miniature medals. Personnel who wear medals on civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as for the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform

I am not sure if "all categories of medals" includes ribbons or not. You see a lot of ribbons worn, but I'm not totally comfortable with it.

**davedove** · 27th July 09, 12:36 PM

That's where you get into the technicalities of definition. All ribbons are a decoration of some sort, but not all ribbons are representative of medals. So, by strictest definition, a ribbon is not a medal and should not be worn on civilian clothes.

Yes, I know many people do it, but it's not within the reg.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 27th July 09, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by davedove

That's where you get into the technicalities of definition. All ribbons are a decoration of some sort, but not all ribbons are representative of medals. So, by strictest definition, a ribbon is not a medal and should not be worn on civilian clothes.

Yes, I know many people do it, but it's not within the reg.

Absolutely correct!

Just to demystify things a bit, decorations are technically medals awarded for valor-- bronze star, etc. Most medals are awarded for achievement or proficiency. Ribbons, which do not have medals, are usually training awards.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 27th July 09, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Ozark Ridge Rider

The applicable AR is mostly devoted to uniform wear. The brief civilian paragraph is quoted below:

30-6. Wear of medals on civilian clothes

Retired personnel and former members of the Army (as described above) may wear all categories of medals described in this regulation on appropriate civilian clothing. This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature. Personnel may wear either full-size or miniature medals. (emphasis added-MoR)

Although this refers to the civilian "uniforms" worn by members of organizations such as the VFW or the American Legion, by extension it also can be applied to Highland attire.

Originally Posted by Ozark Ridge Rider

Personnel who wear medals on civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as for the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform.

AR 670-1 goes into greater specific detail.

Originally Posted by Ozark Ridge Rider

I am not sure if "all categories of medals" includes ribbons or not. You see a lot of ribbons worn, but I'm not totally comfortable with it.

Ribbons are not authorized for civilian wear, only full-size medals (day) and miniature-size medals (evening). You are probably not comfortable with the idea of wearing ribbons on civilian attire because it's wrong to do so.

The question has been raised (outside of this forum) if it is appropriate (or legal) to wear US military medals on the uniform of a civilian organization that discriminates against individuals seeking membership based on requirements of race, religion, or national origin. Although neither the US Justice Department nor the Department of Defense has addressed the issue I would think that there may be a case to be made for restricting the wearing of medals in some instances.

**dfmacliam** · 27th July 09, 02:57 PM

Did they not recently address this issue by authorizing the wearing of ribbons/ medals in civilian attire in the last several months? I personally do not wear mine, because of it's a
personal issue..... As for the ribbons being being training awards, I disagree, I wear the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon and it is ranked higher than several medals that I have been awarded.