Ribbons

[Capt M. Sherrod]

I'm sure that this has probably been discussed before, however, I'd like to get some feedback on what everyone thinks about wearing ribbons.  As a member of the "fat group", I only have the Aviator Combo and TPU available to me.  I prefer to wear everything that I am entitle to, but obviously that may not always be practical.  What are the board's thoughts on wearing ribbons to every meeting versus only to more dressy (Promotions, Awards Ceremonies, etc). situations.

-- Flame on.

[davedove]

I think you'll get different thoughts on this.  Some think it's tacky to wear your ribbons on the shirt and some don't care.

I tend to wear my ribbons with the grey/white combo, but many don't.  Then sometimes I don't want to go to the trouble of putting them on, so I don't.

Now, in my unit some do and some don't, so nobody stands out either way.  If no one else wore their ribbons and you did, you would stand out.  Likewise, if you didn't when everyone else did, you would also stand out.

So, I say it's up to you and your unit's habits.

[IceNine]

I too think your going to get a wide variety from this BUT

IMHO- Base what you wear off of the activity/function you are wearing it too.  For instance if I am wearing blues to a class I only wear my badges,  But if I am attending a promotion ceremony I wear everything.

[Eclipse]

Ditto, there's no reason to wear them everytime you button your shirt, I normally stick with just the badges.

They get worn and dirty, which, if you don't mind keeping them fresh is fine.

I normally recommend / prescribe wearing ribbons only for more ceremonious stuff, like if someone is receiving an award (or ribbon), etc., or if the event / activity will have a lot of outside members or the public.

The jelly beans >DO< act as a quick-reference resume for those who know how to read them, and HOW you wear them tells a lot about your attention to detail, but I don't think there's much point in wearing them to a staff meeting or similar (unless you have something shiny no one has seen before).

[MIKE]

Ribbons are for service dress, silly.  Just GT badge on the shirts.  I want to fit in with USAF officers and not look like a dork if at all possible.

[IceNine]

Ribbons are for service dress, silly.  Just GT badge on the shirts.  I want to fit in with USAF officers and not look like a dork if at all possible.

Yeah and everyone know's women hate dorks in uniform

[Hawk200]

I wear ribbons on the shirts, an old habit. Some think it's impressive, others ostentatious, but that doesn't matter to me. It's just a habit to wear them. I make a point to iron that shirt, slip on my rank, and pin on stuff, it's no big deal to put a ribbon rack on too.

[Capt M. Sherrod]

Ribbons are for service dress, silly.  Just GT badge on the shirts.  I want to fit in with USAF officers and not look like a dork if at all possible.

Capt, you'll note that I don't fit into the "service dress" category based on my initial post.  Based on your comment, I should never wear my ribbons.  I am quite proud of the fact that next month I will have completed Level 3, and I was looking for guidance on when would be appropriate to wear the ribbons.  But, thank you, for not paying attention to my overabundant (according to the regs) weight.

[IceNine]

Just for the record if you are particularly proud of a certain achievement then show that puppy off.  My only suggestion is be very aware of the condition of your ribbons.  Wearing dirty worn out ribbons is just as unprofessional as wearing a shirt that you picked up out of the dirty laundry pile.

[davedove]

Ribbons are for service dress, silly.  Just GT badge on the shirts.  I want to fit in with USAF officers and not look like a dork if at all possible.

Capt, you'll note that I don't fit into the "service dress" category based on my initial post.  Based on your comment, I should never wear my ribbons.  I am quite proud of the fact that next month I will have completed Level 3, and I was looking for guidance on when would be appropriate to wear the ribbons.  But, thank you, for not paying attention to my overabundant (according to the regs) weight.

If you wear the corporate service coat, you are REQUIRED to wear CAP ribbons, just as if you were wearing service dress.

[Capt M. Sherrod]

If you wear the corporate service coat, you are REQUIRED to wear CAP ribbons, just as if you were wearing service dress.

Fair enough, however, I could digress on a completely different tangent about the cost & poor service that is the evil empire / monopoly called Vanguard.

[RogueLeader]

I happen to wear my ribbons on my non-utility uniforms.  It is just my preference.  You follow yours.

[MIKE]

Ribbons are for service dress, silly.  Just GT badge on the shirts.  I want to fit in with USAF officers and not look like a dork if at all possible.

Capt, you'll note that I don't fit into the "service dress" category based on my initial post.  Based on your comment, I should never wear my ribbons.  I am quite proud of the fact that next month I will have completed Level 3, and I was looking for guidance on when would be appropriate to wear the ribbons.  But, thank you, for not paying attention to my overabundant (according to the regs) weight.

Maybe you didn't want to hear it that way but... Most USAF officers don't wear ribbons on the shirts, and that's why I have taken to not wearing them on my uniform as a senior.  Likewise I would not wear them on the aviator shirt with the blue or the gray epaulets for this reason, but I can't tell you how to wear your uniform... so, wear 'em if you want.

[JohnKachenmeister]

I agree with the ModeRanger.

I follow the Air Force folkway of wearing only your qualification badges on the shirt.  Yes, the reg both in CAP and the AF allows wear of ribbons on shirts, but even though allowed, certain things are not usually done.

There are a couple of exceptions I make to this rule:

1.  Kinda-ceremonial, special events at which the wear of the service jacket is proscribed, I wear the ribbons (and my tie) to sort of recognize that this event is special.

2.  Since I have active duty and combat ribbons, when I think it is helpful to silently, and discretely, announce the fact that I have service other than CAP volunteer time.   

[MIKE]

It's pronounced ModderAnger. 

[Hawk200]

... Most USAF officers don't wear ribbons on the shirts, and that's why I have taken to not wearing them on my uniform as a senior.  

From what I've seen, most USAF officers don't wear them because they don't have many. And for the most part they don't get much. I've seen numerous majors and lieutenant colonels with only six or seven when they retire. Which kind of puzzles me, because it seems like every general grade officer I've seen in the Air Force had anywhere from fourteen (at least) to twenty four. It's a bit puzzling, that they would have so many fewer at the capt throuugh lt col, but so many more when they have stars.

[Capt M. Sherrod]

Maybe you didn't want to hear it that way but... Most USAF officers don't wear ribbons on the shirts, and that's why I have taken to not wearing them on my uniform as a senior.  Likewise I would not wear them on the aviator shirt with the blue or the gray epaulets for this reason, but I can't tell you how to wear your uniform... so, wear 'em if you want.

I have no problem hearing the message.  If I wanted to go my own way, respectfully, I wouldn't have asked the question.  What I took offense to was being called silly.  I have only been in this organization for a little over a year, and while I am the DCC, our squadron runs as two separate units (officers and cadets meet on different nights).  I am looking to set an acceptable example while wearing the uniforms, and was looking for constructive insight on accepted practices; not to be called silly due to my obvious lack of experience. 

Thank you for further explaining your reasoning, late as it may be.  That is the kind of discussion I was hoping for.  People would express what they do and the reasoning behind it.

[ddelaney103]

In the white and grays I go the Navy way - their officers wear three ribbons on the khakis.

I'd suggest (highest award/highest level/other).  I wear unit citation (I'd wear my CommComm, but I lent it to someone else for an award presentation and am waiting for a replacement) Garber and Mitchell.

This allows you the chance to get recognition for your achievements without pimping out your shirt.

[RiverAux]

I follow the Air Force folkway of wearing only your qualification badges on the shirt.  Yes, the reg both in CAP and the AF allows wear of ribbons on shirts, but even though allowed, certain things are not usually done.

Glad to know that I've been following the AF folkways...haven't got the hang of that AF-style square dance yet....

Seriously though, I rarely see ribbons on anyone except at wing conference or sometimes at a commanders call.  Personally, I don't wear them because I haven't kept up with buying the ones I've earned. 

[jimmydeanno]

Maybe you didn't want to hear it that way but... Most USAF officers don't wear ribbons on the shirts, and that's why I have taken to not wearing them on my uniform as a senior.  Likewise I would not wear them on the aviator shirt with the blue or the gray epaulets for this reason, but I can't tell you how to wear your uniform... so, wear 'em if you want.

I have no problem hearing the message.  If I wanted to go my own way, respectfully, I wouldn't have asked the question.  What I took offense to was being called silly.  I have only been in this organization for a little over a year, and while I am the DCC, our squadron runs as two separate units (officers and cadets meet on different nights).  I am looking to set an acceptable example while wearing the uniforms, and was looking for constructive insight on accepted practices; not to be called silly due to my obvious lack of experience. 

I think the silly remark wasn't used to call you 'silly,' but rather used in the context of the "Trix" commercials ("Silly Rabit, Trix are for kids"), with only sarcasm intended, no personal attack.

But here's what I do and the reasoning.

I wear my GT, Observer Wings and CP badge on my short sleeve blues shirt.  I would do the same on the new corporate and the aviator combo.  I choose to because in the normal routine of my function in the squadron, I don't want to constantly have to check my ribbon rack to see if ribbons have fallen off, explain all of them to someone and they get dirty.

To expand on the "explain them all to someone" statement.  I would prefer people listen to what I am saying and how I am doing my job rather than staring at my chest and wondering what they all are.  It also saves the 'glamour' of them for more formal occasions where pomp and circumstance is more appropriate. (Award ceremonies, banquets, conferences, etc)

On another note, I don't wear all the patches I can on my BDUs either.  I could wear the observer wings, GT, COS, Squadron, ES Patch, Wing Patch, Flag...not a spot to spare.  But instead I only wear the Flag, Wing, and Squadron Patch.  I think it looks 'cleaner.'

If you are looking to follow the tradition AF way (even though you don't wear the AF Style Uniform), traditionally officers don't wear their ribbons on the light blue shirt.  Enlisted personnel however, do.

Just my take...