Should U.S. government civilian awards be worn on a military uniform?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 19:36:31 -0500

So let's say GS9 Snuffy is recalled to active duty. Snuffy has several DOD medals for Civilian Service, and other Agency medals issued by the US Gov? Some have ribbons. Can/Should Snuffy wear them on uniform? Why?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 7:52 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 19:52:19 -0500

Nope. I'm essentially in that position, SGM Private RallyPoint Member, (minus the recall) and I think civilian awards (/medals/ribbons) are for civilians, not for the military uniform. That's my vote anyhow.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 8:02 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 20:02:29 -0500

No, not just no HELL NO. Civilian awards do not belong on a military uniform ever!

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 9:17 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 09:17:10 -0500

AR 670-1 identifies US non-military awards as having the third highest precedence (higher than campaign, service, and training ribbons). US non-military unit awards are sixth highest (higher than foreign awards such as the NATO medal). Both are higher than State awards for USARNG Soldiers.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2017 10:35 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:35:41 -0400

Can they? Yes they can wear them on the uniform. Why/should they? They earned it and they are authorized to wear it. Soldiers should never be intimidated not to or ashamed to wear an authorized award, no matter where it came from.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Smith made Aug 10 at 2017 4:46 PM

PO2 Jonathan Smith — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 16:46:50 -0400

I earned a couple badges and ribbons when I was a Cub Scout.. can I wear those? ;)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2017 10:24 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 10:24:05 -0400

AR 670-1 Chapter 29 section 29-6, c. U.S. non-military decorations. U.S. non-military decorations authorized for wear on Army uniforms are listed below in their order of precedence. Personnel will wear other U.S. non-military (Federal agency) decorations based upon date of receipt. If more than one decoration is awarded by the same agency, the decorations are worn in the order of precedence, as established by the awarding agency. Personnel will not wear U.S. non-military decorations that duplicate recognition for service or an act for which a military decoration has already been awarded. Awards given by a jurisdiction inferior to the Federal Government are not authorized for wear on the Army uniform, except as specified in paragraph j, below.

(1) Presidential Medal of Freedom.
(2) Presidential Citizen’s Medal.
(3) President’s Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Award. (4) Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
(5) Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom.
(6) Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
(7) Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award.
(8) Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal. (9) NASA Space Flight Medal.
(10) Public Health Service Commendation Medal. (11) Public Health Service Achievement Medal. (12) Department of State Superior Honor Award. (13) Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. (14) Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
(15) Superior Civilian Service Award.
(16) Commander’s Award for Civilian Service.
(17) Achievement Medal for Civilian Service.

As a current MilTech employee I think you should be authorized. As a Miltech you are a Reservist and a Army civilian at the same time. You are still serving your country and doing a full time job that would be done in uniform, but without wearing the uniform. You still have to partake in missions and readiness, those apartments should be on the uniform and there is already a section of the regulation stating so.

Response by SSG George Husted made Sep 16 at 2017 11:02 AM

SSG George Husted — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 11:02:43 -0400

Yes. Just wear them in the correct order of precedence.

Response by MAJ Bradley Hayes made Jul 26 at 2018 10:03 PM

MAJ Bradley Hayes — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:03:05 -0400

I had no idea and am glad I just stumbled on this conversation. I am a current Army Reservist and proudly wear all my OIF medals on my ribbon rack from my first deployment (Baghdad ‘03-04). However, I received numerous civilian medals from my OEF deployment as a DAC (Kandahar, ‘10-11) that I have never worn. I alasts wondered why the medal sets included ribbons if I couldn’t wear them on my uniform. Thanks for helping clear this up!

Response by LCpl Dusty Courtland made Aug 6 at 2019 9:48 AM

LCpl Dusty Courtland — Tue, 06 Aug 2019 09:48:59 -0400

I personally don’t see a problem with that. However, I can see it leading to everyone wanting to wear some type of civilian award.

Response by Sgt David Rodriguez made Apr 9 at 2020 2:59 AM

Sgt David Rodriguez — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 02:59:46 -0400

I was researching this topic and came across this thread. My situation is that I was awarded an Army MUC and NATO ISAF medal (civilians eligible for both) for a DA Army civilian deployment (OEF). Since these are military awards I have asked if I am eligible to wear on my Navy uniform (Reservists). I have not come across a legitimate answer.

Response by SMSgt Patrick LaChance made May 3 at 2020 3:50 AM

SMSgt Patrick LaChance — Sun, 03 May 2020 03:50:36 -0400

The Air Force MPF accepted the two civilian medals I earned and added them into my awards record also confirming that I was authorized to wear them with the rest of my USAF awards on my ribbon rack.

Response by PO1 Charles Scott made Jul 14 at 2020 1:09 AM

PO1 Charles Scott — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 01:09:56 -0400

I am in need of some uniform guidance.

I am a retired navy PO1 (E-6) and a member of the Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS). Our uniform regs allow members to wear our military ribbons on our uniform shirts. We are also permitted to wear our service's dinner dress uniform with mini medals for formal occasions. I have recently been nominated to receive the President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA).
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President%27s_Volunteer_Service_Award )
My question is two-fold. If I receive this award, can I: (1) wear the associated ribbon on my military ribbon rack? If so, what would be the order of precedence? And (2) can I wear the medallion with my mess dress uniform?

President%2527s_Volunteer_Service_Award

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2021 12:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 12:22:56 -0400

Yes, I even informed reservist CIV employees of this.