Find Ribbon Eligibility

[thefischNX01]

There has been some confusion at my former squadron about wear of the find ribbon.

Do you have to have an ES certification beyon Gen ES to wear it?  Or can a UDF trainee wear the ribbon if he or she is called upon to locate an ELT?

[Schmidty06]

If for any reason you recieved a find credit (while rated, non-rated, or as a mission base staff member at the wrong place at the right time) you can wear the ribbon.

[thefischNX01]

That's what I thought.  But the director of ES for NJ Wing said you had to have a rating to wear the ribbon, which caused a lot of confusion for us. 

New Question:
My former Squadron commander didn't sign anything authorizing me to wear the ribbon (even thought I participated in a mission and successfully located the aircraft).  I am now out of the squadron.  Can I still petition for the ribbon?  or am I simply out of luck?

[Pace]

If you can provide proof of your find (the form slips my mind right now), you can submit a 2a for the "Find" ribbon.

[thefischNX01]

if I have the mission number, is that good enough?

[arajca]

Unfortunetely, no. You also need something documenting that you were on the team that was awarded the Find. Usually a unit log, an assignment sheet, or a brief/debrief form would have that information. Possibly a letter from the team leader attesting to your presence on the team could be sufficient.

[thefischNX01]

Okay...thank you all.  this should be fine

[Major_Chuck]

if I have the mission number, is that good enough?

Unfortunately not.  With only the mission number you are assuming that someone up the food chain is going to research back into paper files to verify the mission;  who was there;  etc.  A personnel officer is most likely not going to have access to this information and unless you can find someone who really likes to research this stuff your request for the award may just get sent back to you.

My recommendation:  As in life, keep a copy of everything that is important.  Document, document, document.  When you do submit a request for an award or promotion provide details and documentation if possible.  It only gives you a stronger base to deal from.

[thefischNX01]

Thank you very much sirs.  you all have been a great help.   

[Major_Chuck]

Thank you very much sirs.  you all have been a great help.   

Anytime.

CC

[Eclipse]

The mission IC should have a roster of all participants and should have logged sortie credit for anyone credited w/ the find.

You don't have to be rated, but you have to be qualified, meaning prep & fam were completed before walking out the door.