National Defense Service Ribbon

Pkirk618

Retired Army
5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2012
Messages
63
I was watching the ring ceremony and pictures thereafter. Some of the cadets were not wearing their NDSM and I began wondering, when are they are (officially) awarded these to begin with? Not to mention, when did it become optional for some of cadets to wear or not wear their decorations? :) Unless it's like Class B optional....but I don't think so.

I remember sporting my ASR with pride :)

Cadet input? Anyone?
 
Last edited:
If someone isn't wearing it, it's probably because they didn't feel like buying the ribbon. Last year, the TAC teams gave them out to all the Plebes at Plebe Parent Weekend, but I'm pretty sure we qualify to wear the NDSM as soon as we complete CBT.

Another reason some people don't wear it is because we really don't do much defending. We go to school.
 
It's optional.

AR 670-1

29–2. Authorization
a. Commanders may require the wear of awards on the following occasions.
(1) Parades, reviews, inspections, and funerals.
(2) Ceremonial and social occasions.
b. Awards are worn at the option of the wearer when not prohibited during normal duty hours. Personnel also may
wear awards on appropriate uniforms when off duty (see para 29–4, below). Personnel are encouraged to wear
authorized awards on the service, dress, and mess uniforms.
c. Soldiers may wear awards on the class B uniform during duty hours and when off duty, at their option.
 
I know the reg. This occasion seemed to fit the bill for awards as not optional if your SI, commandant is wearing theirs. It's probably not optional for this ceremony.

And the ndsm is issued to soldiers, fighting or not You earn it, (in support of) you wear it. Or, you're out of uniform when its mandatory. Im reading the commanders intent as such for this occasion. Besides, senior cadets should feel the need to be uniform across all ranks.

Enough about that....so plebes should have theirs already?
 
Are ROTC cadets eligible to receive the ribbon as well? How about recently commissioned ROTC 2LTs?
 
By USMA regs, wear of awards is required on PT, ACU, Dress Gray, White over Gray, and Full Dress uniforms.

Practically, though, the reg is little enforced, out of a combination of:
- not wanting to seem arrogant
- the hassle of tracking down ribbons/awards
- the extra 5 minutes it takes to switch awards between uniforms.
 
By USMA regs, wear of awards is required on PT, ACU, Dress Gray, White over Gray, and Full Dress uniforms.
- the hassle of tracking down ribbons/awards
- the extra 5 minutes it takes to switch awards between uniforms.

It must be hard to track down a ribbon or two. And if it's taking 5 mins to switch awards between uniforms.... someone maybe in need of remedial award switching...
 
Are ROTC cadets eligible to receive the ribbon as well? How about recently commissioned ROTC 2LTs?

The only ROTC Cadets that are allowed to wear the NDSM are those that are SMP cadets and have completed both BCT and AIT. Green to Gold cadets also wear the ribbons they have earned while enlisted.

As Scout said, all other ROTC cadets do not wear any service ribbons other then those given by ROTC.
 
Last edited:
I know the reg. This occasion seemed to fit the bill for awards as not optional if your SI, commandant is wearing theirs. It's probably not optional for this ceremony.

And the ndsm is issued to soldiers, fighting or not You earn it, (in support of) you wear it. Or, you're out of uniform when its mandatory. Im reading the commanders intent as such for this occasion. Besides, senior cadets should feel the need to be uniform across all ranks.

I am sure you experienced it before your retired - the "new" Army, where things we took as the normal in our earlier days are not.
 
By USMA regs, wear of awards is required on PT, ACU, Dress Gray, White over Gray, and Full Dress uniforms.

Practically, though, the reg is little enforced, out of a combination of:
- not wanting to seem arrogant
- the hassle of tracking down ribbons/awards
- the extra 5 minutes it takes to switch awards between uniforms.

If the reg is not enforced, it's a failure of leadership or another sign the Corps has (kidding about the Corps has part). I think my class was one of the first class in recent history to get NDSM for serving during the time of first Gulf War. Most of my classmates didn't wear NDSM.

Does in ranks inspection still happen? If so why are awards on uniform not checked?

To side track, do cadets still get the Recondo badge after completing CFT? I think it started back up with my class, most of my class didn't want to wear it as the requirement was to just finish CFT to get it.
 
To side track, do cadets still get the Recondo badge after completing CFT? I think it started back up with my class, most of my class didn't want to wear it as the requirement was to just finish CFT to get it.

Yes, but there are standards that must be met (I think everyone is required to complete all Recondo events - at least my company was - but you need to perform at a certain level to get the Recondo badge).
 
For ROTC:

NDSM: After commissioning
ASR: After BOLC
GWOT: After BOLC? Really confusing regs on this one some BOLCs give it out to new grads others don't
 
For ROTC:

NDSM: After commissioning
ASR: After BOLC
GWOT: After BOLC? Really confusing regs on this one some BOLCs give it out to new grads others don't

Appreciate the responses, will pass along to DD.
 
Speaking of haircuts, I had to tell my own kid to get himself a haircut. I literally inspect him over video chat. When I saw him on A day, his belt buckle looked oxidized and looked like it was slapped around his waist. I know he had to get passed all kinds of cadets, officers and NCOs before getting to me and I was slightly put off. Eh, I know they are in school and stuff like this might take more of a back seat but checking yourself and soldiers needs to be conditioned as part the daily routine. When you look good, you feel good and it becomes contagious. What I see are simple corrections that need attention. I used to tell my soldiers, "if you pass a correction, you just set a new standard".

So with regards to this award, I say wear it--whenever you can. Pride, regardless of reason will infect others positively. Half the awards many of us wear are not always for personal achievements. But I bet when you all have a few, you'll take the time to throw on the NDSR in all its glory.

Respect yourselves enough to positively influence your soldiers. They'll thank you for it later.

As for my son, he is on top of things---he better be!
 
Last edited:
Schooled.

But what about haircut inspection?

we wear as for class or ACU's for haircut inspections (they are right before breakfast/class). I don't know what the reg is for ndsm with as for class, but I have never seen it done.
 
we wear as for class or ACU's for haircut inspections (they are right before breakfast/class). I don't know what the reg is for ndsm with as for class, but I have never seen it done.

USCC 670-1 mandates all awards worn on ACU's, White over Gray, Dress Gray, Full Dress, and India Whites. No awards for Parades or while in the field. Awards on PT's and As For Class are optional (no one wears anything on PT's anymore and priors occasionally wear their unit insignia on AFC but that's it).

I think if you go back roughly 10 years people used to wear awards on AFC, but now it's more in line with the ASU "Class B" policy for simplicity's sake.
 
Back
Top