Can someone explain why the ROTC cadets on the field with the President before the Anthem at the Nat Champ game are not wearing any ribbons?

2018-01-09T16:54:08-05:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-01-09T17:01:55-05:00

That's certainly interesting since 2 of them have the GAFPB

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 7:53 PM

2018-01-09T19:53:57-05:00

Because they haven't earned any? What do want them to wear - their cadet ribbons?

Response by Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 9:39 PM

2018-01-09T21:39:50-05:00

Probably because they haven't earned any or their BN hasn't issued the ribbons they have earned yet.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 9 at 2018 9:53 PM

2018-01-09T21:53:00-05:00

As is usually the case, the answer is in one of those pesky regulations nobody likes to read...

ROTC cadets don't rate the NDSM, which is the only gimme award a cadet might possibly have just for being a cadet. Only Cadets of the Service Academies rate the NDSM.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 10:35 PM

2018-01-09T22:35:57-05:00

It is very likely that they may be ROTC cadets THAT HAVE NOT signed a real military contract yet. A student in Army ROTC can be a cadet for two years and are not REQUIRED to sign a contract until their Jr year. I dont think ROTC awards cadets with real army ribbons until they receive their commission or sign the contract. Interesting enough, though, I see some GAFPB's and an Air Assault badge. It's odd that they can get opportunities to earn these badges before they are even authorized to wear an ASR or NDSR...

Interesting post, I've never seen a uniform like this!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 1:09 AM

2018-01-10T01:09:36-05:00

You'll see this often.
Cadets get to participate in Airborne, Sapper, Pathfinder, Air Assault, Mountain, GAFBE, Expert Field Medical Badge and so forth so long as they pass,

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 8:55 AM

2018-01-10T08:55:10-05:00

Another question would be, why one guy appears to be wearing crossed rifles on the lapels of an enlisted-style jacket?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2018 10:50 AM

2018-01-11T10:50:59-05:00

ROTC cadets aren't authorized to wear any "real ribbons" unless they earned them as prior enlisted before becoming a cadet. They probably could have worn their ROTC ribbons, but I think they made a solid choice not wearing them since they are made up anyways.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2018 12:47 PM

2018-01-11T12:47:21-05:00

SFC Gary Boyd two things:
1. they did not earn any (the only cadets with any "real" medals or ribbons would have been prior service to earn them; there are ROTC medals and ribbons but many of them are given during senior year after you graduated camp or won awards)
2. their ROTC program has not given out any ROTC awards (some programs do not give out awards even if earned such as camp graduation due to budget or other reasons)