I have recently completed all of the requirements for Level 3. The paperwork has been signed by the Squadron Commander and has gone to Wing. I expect that it will post on National some time within the next week or two. IIRC, the award is supposed to be presented by the Wing CC or his designate.
My question: Am I authorized to wear the ribbon once it is posted on National or do I have to wait until it is officially presented to me by the CC?
Ah, this is a case of 'is the ribbon the award or is the piece of paper the award.'
You see this frequently with cadets and their achievement awards. I say wear the ribbon because the certificate is the award and the ribbon only represents that you earned the award.
The authorization to wear the ribbon comes from the paperwork, not the presentation. So once the paperwork has been properly signed and processed (easy sign: it shows up in E-Services), you can wear the associated ribbon.
However, depending on the length between when you earn it and the presentation, you may choose to hold off for the actual presentation. Some people choose to do this. If, however, it will be a long time before the award is presented (for example, you earned it in January & Wing is holding it 'till the Wing Conference that August), most would go ahead and pin it on.
Once the paperwork goes through, the choice is yours and is a matter of preference and what you feel is appropriate given the situation.
I had been wearing C/Capt for about a month before the wing commander presented my Earhart certificate, FWIW (Yes, the award was already in e-services).
I was told recently by my boss that this also depends on the level of award or ribbon or even qualification received. If you are in a Squadron and the Commander does not have a problem with it than I would wear it. Ask them before jumping the gun. Most of them will say yes. If it is supposed to be presented by a higher echelon person I would wear it until the day before presentation and then change it back so that the "offical" presentation looks better. I was recently awarded something and it has been approved. But the advice given to me was to wait for the official presentation.
I agree that the paperwork is the authorization, but as a matter of etiquette, if your unit is actually going to make a presentation (unfortunately, not all do), then I'd wait until after the presentation.
If you have paperwork in hand, wear he ribbon. If it is on e-Services, that's naitonal's approval.
Please don't be like a member of my unit, and wear the ribbon six months before you submit the paperwork. That individual finally gave me the paperwork once I was appointed as Wing Administration. Lucky for them, no one too important came to visit the unit.
Thank you to all who answered.
The Loening award / Level 3 completion posted as of Friday morning. I was rather surprised at how quickly it made its way through the chain. However, having spoken with the PDO for the squadron, he made sure I knew to wear that ribbon with pride as he said. "you are probably one of the youngest and quickest to get through Level 3".
Since I joined the organization last summer, and I am not prior RM, I think it is quite an accomplishment. I'm looking forward to completing another year in my staff position and having Level 4 wrapped up prior to the end of next summer.
Once again, thank you, all.
Great job. I know it can be hard to get Level III that quickly, simply because the classes aren't always offered.