Medals, ribbons and badges awarded during military service may denote service, qualifications, campaigns, personal distinction, unit colors, specials deeds, and unit decorations. For the men and women who have proudly served the armed services of their respective nations, these decorations represent the highlights of their service.
Military service members and veterans are expected to wear and display their decorations in a certain manner dictated by regulations. Each service branch receives advice from an established group dedicated to the study of heraldry, which studies genealogies and historical archives for the purpose of enacting regulations. For example, the United States Army has received advice and support from the Institute of Heraldry since 1919.
In the U.S., each service branch has its own set of regulations that promulgate the correct wear and display of decorations. Medals of America states, “Due to the historical development of each branch, the regulations are somewhat similar; to wit: the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard share similar medal mounting regulations because they are seagoing services associated with the Department of the Navy. Likewise, the uniform regulations of the Army and Air Force are similar due to the historical tradition of the Army Air Corps.”
Army Regulation 670-1
Chapter 29 of this voluminous Army regulation sets forth the every intricate detail related to how soldiers must wear their decorations, which may include medals, ribbons, appurtenances, and special awards. It is interesting to note that the U.S. Army is an expeditionary service, which means that soldiers may receive foreign awards from time to time. When this happens, Army Regulation 670-1 is amended to include the proper way to wear the new decoration.
NAVPERS 15665I
The Department of the Navy sets forth the uniform regulations for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. NAVPERS 15665I provides the Awards Precedent Chart, which includes decorations that are common to both services such as: the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement, Commendation, Overseas, and Force medals. The specific and separate regulations for the Marine Corps are far more extensive and complex because this is a service with rich heraldry and diverse uniforms. In some cases, a Navy Hospital Corpsman assigned to a Marine Corps unit may choose to abide by “Green Regs,” which means that he or she will have to pay attention to both NAVPERS 15665I and Marine Corps Order P1020.34.
Air Force Policy Directive 36-28
Of all U.S. military branches, the Air Force is often hailed as one of the most uncompromising and efficient in terms of its regulations and guidance related to dress uniforms and awards. This may be explained by the establishment of this branch in the mid-20th century and following World War II. The similarity to U.S. Army regulations is part of the Air Corps legacy.
