Placement of Breast Insignia, Ribbons and Badges Wearing ribbons and badges of the United States Marine Corps Service Ribbons - Ribbons are normally worn in rows of three or four if you are displaying a large number of awards. If your coat lapel conceals any ribbons they may be placed in successively decreasing rows tie: 4,3,2,1). All aligned vertically on the center, except the top row can be altered to present the neatest appearance. You can space your ribbon rows 1/8 inch apart or together (See both examples on this page). When marksmanship badges are worn, the ribbon bars are 1/8 inch above them. You wear all ribbons to which entitled on your service and dress “B” coats. Ribbon only awards are worn on the dress “A” coats above the upper right pocket when full size medals are worn over the upper left pocket.
The first row of ribbons will be 1/8 of an inch above the top edge of the shooting badges. The second and succeeding rows of ribbons will either be worn 1/8 of an inch apart or flush. Flush example above.
ANTI-SCREWUP WEAR GUIDANCE: 1. Place bottom edge of the rifle bar 1/8 inch above the edge of your pocket.
2. Always have the top of your pistol bar even
3.
4.
5. 6. 7. 8.
with the top of the rifle bar; so the bottom of the pistol bar will be more than 1/8 of an inch above the top edge of the pocket. The first row of ribbons will be 1/8 of an inch above the top edge of your shooting badges. The second and succeeding rows of ribbons will either be worn 1/8 of an inch apart or flush (your choice!). Whether or not ribbons are worn, badges will be placed so that the outboard end will be even with the end of the ribbon bar, which is 4 1/8 inch long. The center of this ribbon bar (whether real or imaginary) should coincide with the center of the pocket as shown. Ribbons must be worn in the proper order of seniority (see chart on page 2). Stars are worn with one point right up. Dirty, faded or frayed ribbons are not worn by U.S. Marines. When marksmanship badge is a worn, ribbon bars will be centered over the pocket with the bottom edge of the ribbon bar 1/8 inch above the widest holding bar of a marksmanship badge(s).
USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide 3
Male Marine Ribbon Wear Examples “ What you really need to know!”
Grade Insignia Ribbon Bars
When the number of rows causes your ribbons to be concealed by the coat lapel (one third or more of a ribbon concealed), the ribbon bar is placed in successively decreasing rows such as, 4 ribbon row, a 3 ribbon row, 2 ribbon row, single ribbon etc. (See above). The outboard edge of all decreasing rows will be aligned vertically; except, when the uppermost row presents an unsatisfactory appearance ...so you place it position presenting the neatest appearance (usually centered over the row immediately below it). This is the real test of your promotion potential (based on neatest).
When shirts are worn as an outer garment, ribbons are not required unless prescribed by the commander. If you do wear ribbons, there are two options; (1.) Wear all your authorized ribbons, or (2.) Wear only your personal U.S. decorations along with U.S. Unit awards and a Good Conduct Medal may be worn. Hopefully if you are an NCO you have one!
“Flush mounted ribbon bars present a neat apparance.”
4 USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide
Service Coat
Female Marine Ribbon Wear Examples “ What you really need to know!”
On women's coats with horizontal pockets, ribbons will be worn as prescribed on the men’s uniform. On women's coats with slanted upper pockets, a horizontal line tangent to the highest point of the pocket will be considered the top of the pocket. On women's khaki shirts, ribbon bars will be placed even with or up to 2 inches above or 1⁄2 inch below the first visible button and centered so that they are in about the same position as when worn on the coat. On coats without the faux pocket, ribbon bars will be placed on a horizontal line with the bottom edge of the ribbon bar 1 1⁄2 to 3 1⁄2 inches above the first visible coat button and centered so that they are in about the same position as when worn on the shirt.
On women’s khaki shirts, ribbon bars will be placed even with or up to 2 inches above or 1⁄2 inch below the first visible button and centered so that they are in about the same position as when worn on the coat. USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide 5
Right Breast Displays on Full Dress Uniforms The Marine Corps prescribe the wear of “ribbon only” awards on the right breast of the full dress uniform when large medals are worn. The required Marine Corps displays are as follows: Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy “E” Ribbon
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Arctic Service Ribbon
Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Svs Ribbon
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
Marine Security Guard Ribbon
Marine Combat Instructor Ribbon
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
Philippine Defense Ribbon
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
Philippine Independence Ribbon
When large medals are worn, all unit citations and ribbons with no medals authorized are centered over the right breast pocket the bottom edge 1/8 inch above the top of the pocket.
USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide 17
Wearing Full Size Medals
Current USMC Male Uniform Regulations
Full Size Medals - You may wear up to four medals side by side on a 5-1/2 inch bar and a maximum of seven medals may be overlapped (not to exceed 50% with the right or inboard medal shown in full). On the blue or white dress jacket full size medals are centered on the left breast pocket with the upper edge of the holding bar on line midway between the 1st and 2nd button of the jacket. When large medals are worn, all unit citations and ribbons with no medals authorized are centered over the right breast pocket the bottom edge 1/8 inch above the top of the pocket (See page 17). For men, the maximum width of the holding bar for large medals is 5-1/2 inches, and the length of the medals from top of holding bar to bottom of medallions is 3-1/4 inches. A maximum of four large medals side by side will fit on the maximum width of holding bar; however, a maximum of seven medals will fit on the holding bar if overlapped. The overlapping on each row is equal (not to exceed 50 percent). The right or inboard medal shows in full. See chart below.
Wearing of Large Medals by Male Marines Total Number of Medals
Number of Rows
Number of Medals First Row
Number of Medals 2d Row
Number of Medals 3rd Row
1-7
1 row only
1-7
-
-
8
2
4
4
-
9
2
4
5
-
10
2
5
5
-
11
2
5
6
-
12
2
6
6
-
13
2
6
7
-
14
2
7
7
-
15
3
5
5
5
16
3
5
5
6
17
3
5
6
6
18
3
6
6
6
19
3
6
6
7
20
3
6
7
7
21
3
7
7
7
22
4
5
5
5 +7 on 4th row
18 USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide
Miniature Medals - On the evening dress jackets miniature medals will be centered on the left front jacket panel midway between the inner edge and the left armhole seam, with the top of the bar on line with the 2nd blind button hole. On mess and SNCO evening and mess dress uniforms, the miniature medals are centered on the left lapel with the top of the holding bar 1 inch below the lapel notch. When miniature medals are worn, no ribbons are worn.
Wearing Miniature Medals Current USMC Male Uniform Regulations
For men,the maximum width of the holding bar for miniature medals is four inches, and the length of the medals from the top of the holding bar to the bottom of medals will be 2-1/4 inches. A maximum of five miniature medals side by side will fit on a 3-3/8 inch holding bar; however, a maximum of ten medals will fit on the holding bar if overlapped. The overlapping on each row is equal (not to exceed 50 percent). The right or inboard medal shows in full. Parachutist Insignia
Miniatures
NOTE: Hamilton Wash large and miniature medals, also known as "anodized," may be worn at the individual's option. Marines who exercise this option will have their own medals anodized at the individual's expense. Anodized medals will not be worn together with non-anodized medals by the same individual; however, Marines with anodized medals may wear them in formation with Marines who have standard non-anodized medals.
Miniatures
Evening Dress Jacket (Male Officers)
Evening Dress Jacket (Male SNCO’s)
Wearing of Miniature Medals by Male Marines Total Number of Medals
Number of Rows
Number of Medals First Row
Number of Medals 2nd Row
Number of Medals 3rd Row
1-10
1 Row Only
11
2
1-10
-
-
5
6
-
12
2
6
6
-
13
2
6
7
-
14
2
7
7
-
15
2
7
8
-
16
2
8
8
-
17
2
8
9
-
18
2
9
9
-
19
2
9
10
-
20
2
10
10
-
USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide 19
Wearing Full Size Medals (Female)
Current USMC Female Uniform Regulations
On women’s blue dress coats, one row of large medals will be placed centered over the left breast pocket with the top of the holding bar about 1 inch above a horizontal line tangent to the highest part of the pocket. When two or more rows of medals are worn, the top of the holding bars of the bottom row of the medals will be approximately 1/4 to 1 inch above a horizontal line tangent to the highest point of the pocket. The holding bars of the top row of medals will be at least 1/8 of an inch below the collar. If necessary the medals may be shifted from center towards the armhole seam between 1/4 and 1/2 inches so that no more than one-third of any medal is covered by the coat lapel. Wearing Ribbon Bars With Large Medals. When large medals are worn, all unit citations and other ribbons with no medal authorized will be worn centered over the right breast pocket, the bottom edge of the lower row 1/8 inch above the top of the pocket. Women will wear these ribbons on the right side of the coat front in about the same vertical position as worn with dress “B” and service “A” uniforms. Ribbon bars are normally worn in rows of three in the order of precedence from the wearer’s right to left and from top down (for example: top row, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation; bottom row, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation). Marines who have not been awarded large medals, but who are entitled to wear a ribbon(s) for which no medal is authorized will wear such ribbon(s) over the right breast pocket as described above. Female Marines do not use a holding bar more than 4-1/8 inches which will hold no more than three large medals side by side on a single holding bar; however, a maximum of five medals will fit on the holding bar if overlapped
Wearing of Full Size Medals by Female Marines Total Number of Medals
Number of rows
Number of Medals First Row
Number of Medals 2d Row
Number of Medals 3rd Row
1-5
1 row only
6
2
1-5
-
-
3
3
-
7
2
3
4
-
8
2
4
4
-
9
2
4
5
-
10
2
5
5
-
11
3
3
4
4
12
3
4
4
4
13
3
4
4
5
14
3
4
5
5
15
3
5
5
5
20 USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide
On the women’s evening dress jacket, miniature medals will be placed centered on the left lapel with the top of the holding bar at the lapel’s widest part. If regulation size holding bars will not fit centered on the lapel, medals may extend beyond the lapel’s edge onto the jacket’s left breast. When miniature medals are worn, no ribbons are worn.
Wearing Miniature Medals (Female)
Evening Dress Jacket (Female)
Evening Dress Jacket (Female)
For women, the holding bar for miniature medals will be no wider than 3- 1/4 inches. A maximum of four medals side by side will fit on this width- holding bar; however, a maximum of eight medals will fit on the holding bar if overlapped.
Wearing of Miniature Medals by Female Marines Total Number of Medals
Number of rows
Number of Medals First Row
Number of Medals 2d Row
Number of Medals 3rd Row
1-8
1 row only
1-8
-
-
9
2
4
5
-
10
2
5
5
-
11
2
5
6
-
12
2
6
6
-
13
2
6
7
-
14
2
7
7
-
15
2
7
8
-
USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide 21
Rank Insignia and Service Stripes (Male)
4” BELOW SHOULDER SEAM CENTERED
4” BELOW SHOULDER SEAM RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER
LOWER POINT OF BOTTOM STRIPE MEETS POINT OF PIPING Service Coat
Blue Dress Coat
1/2” CENTERED FROM LOWER EDGE TO POINT OF CUFF
CENTERED BETWEEN SHOULDER SEAM AND BOTTOM EDGE OF SLEEVE
4” BELOW SHOULDER SEAM CENTERED Short Sleeve Shirt
22 USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide
CENTERED
Rank Insignia and Service Stripes (Female)
4” BELOW SHOULDER SEAM
4” BELOW SHOULDER SEAM
CENTERED
CENTERED
LOWER POINT OF BOTTOM STRIPE MEETS POINT OF PIPING
Blue Dress Coat
CENTERD
Service Coat
4” BELOW SHOULDER SEAM
CENTERED MIDWAY BETWEEN SHOULDFER SEAM AND PEAK OF CUFF
CENTERED
Long Sleeve Shirt
LOWER EDGE OF BOTTOM STRIPE 1/2” ABOVE POINT OF CUFF
Short Sleeve Shirt
USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide 23
v How Medals are Worn
and Displayed by Veterans
Introduction One of the first lessons taught to new Marines is proper wear of the uniform and insignia. The same rules apply to veterans and retirees wearing military awards on their former uniform or civilian dress. There are many occasions today when tradition, patriotism, ceremonies and social occasions call for the wear of military awards.
Civilian Dress The most common manner of wearing a decoration or medal is as a lapel pin in the left lapel of a civilian suit jacket. The small enameled lapel pin represents a decoration or medal an individual has received (usually the highest award or one having special meaning to the wearer). Many veterans always wear a lapel pin. Lapel pins are available for all awards and ribbons. Honorably discharged and retired Marines members may wear full-size or miniature medals on civilian suits for appropriate occasions such as Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day. Female members may wear full-size or miniature medals on equivalent dress. It is not considered appropriate to wear skill or qualification badges on civilian attire.
Formal Civilian Wear For more formal occasions, it is correct and encouraged to wear miniature decorations and medals. For a black or white tie occasion, the rule is quite simple: if the lapel is wide enough wear the miniatures on the left lapel or, in the case of a shawl lapel on a tuxedo, the miniature medals are worn over the left breast pocket. The center of the holding bar of the bottom row of medals should be parallel to the ground immediately above the pocket. Do not wear a pocket handkerchief. 24 USMC Ribbon and Medal Wear Guide
Wear of the Uniform On certain occasions, retired Marine personnel may wear either the uniform prescribed at the date of retirement or any of the current active duty authorized uniforms. Retirees should adhere to the same grooming standards as Marine active duty personnel when wearing the uniform (for example, a beard is inappropriate while in uniform). Whenever the uniform is worn, it must be done in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the individual and the Marine Corps. (Do not mix uniform items.) The occasions for uniform wear by retirees are Military ceremonies, funerals, weddings, memorial services and inaugurals. Patriotic parades on national holidays. Military parades in which active or reserve units are participating. Educational institutions when engaged in giving military instruction. Social or other functions when the invitation has obviously been influenced by the member’s earlier active service. Honorably separated wartime veterans may wear the uniform authorized at the time of their service for: Military funerals, memorial services, and inaugurals. Patriotic parades on national holidays. Military parades in which active or reserve units are participating. Non-wartime Marine personnel separated (other than retired and Reserve) are not authorized to wear the uniform but may wear the medals.