How to Wear Medals and Ribbons on Marine Dress Blues

Midshipmen Uniform Regulations

3103. Ribbons And Medals

1. Ribbons

   Ribbons are worn on uniforms as designated in Chapter 2 of these Regulations. Ribbons are not authorized on formal dress, dinner dress or winter and summer working uniforms.
   

   1. Manner of Wearing.

      Wear up to three ribbons in a single row. When more than three ribbons are authorized, wear them in horizontal rows of three each. If ribbons are not in multiples of three, the top row contains the lesser number, and the center of this row sits over the center of the one below it. Wear ribbons without spaces between ribbons or rows of ribbons. Wear ribbons with the lower edge of the bottom row centered 1/4 inch above the left breast pocket and parallel to the deck. To prevent coat lapels from covering ribbons, ribbons may be aligned so the border to wearer's left is aligned with left side of pocket. Rows of ribbons where more than 50% of the ribbon is covered by the coat lapel may contain two ribbons each and be aligned with left border.

      1. Placement on Ribbon Bar.

         Ribbons shall be arranged on a bar(s) and attached to uniforms. Ribbons shall not be impregnated with preservatives which change their appearance, or have any transparent covering.

      2. Arrangement.

         Arrange ribbons in order of precedence in rows from top down, inboard to outboard. Wear all ribbons if you have earned three or more.

      3. Ribbons with Breast Insignia.

         When you wear ribbons with breast insignia, comply with Section 2 and Table 3-1 of this Chapter.

2. Ribbons with Medals

   1. Manner of Wearing.

      Wear both large medals and ribbons that do not have corresponding large medals on Full Dress Uniforms. Center ribbons on the right breast in the same relative position as the holding bar of the lowest row of medals. Arrange ribbons in order of precedence in rows from top down and inboard to outboard. Wear either the senior ribbon or all ribbons. Personnel awarded only ribbons that do not have corresponding large medals shall wear the ribbons on the right side as mentioned above.

   2. Correct Uniform.

      Do not wear ribbons on uniforms requiring miniature medals.

3. Large Medals

   1. Manner of Wearing.

      Large medals are worn on the service coat or jumper of Full Dress Blues and Full Dress White. When wearing more than one medal, suspend them from a holding bar that supports the medal's weight. Place the holding bar of the lowest row of medals in the same position as the lowest ribbon bar. The bar measures 4-1/8 inches wide, and each row of medals is 3-1/4 inches long from top of the suspension ribbons to bottom of medals, so that bottom of medals dress in a horizontal line. Multiple rows of medals should be grouped with the same number of medals in each row, with the lesser number in the top row if necessary. A maximum of three medals may be worn side by side in a single row with no overlap. Arrange four or more medals (maximum of five in a single row) following the layout in Table 3-1. Overlapping shall be proportional and the inboard medal shall be shown in full. Mount the medals so they cover the suspension ribbons of the medals below.

   2. Arrangement.

      Arrange medals in order of precedence in rows from top down, inboard to outboard, within rows. Service members possessing more than five medals may either wear the five senior medals or all of them.

   3. Polishing Medals.

      Plating or polishing medals is prohibited.

   4. Medals with Breast Insignia.

      When wearing large medals with breast insignia, comply with Section 2 and Table 3-1 of this chapter.

4. Miniature Medals

   1. Manner of Wearing.

      Wear miniature medals with all dinner dress or dinner dress jacket uniforms. Each row of miniatures is 2-1/4 inches long, from top of the suspension ribbons to bottom of medals, so the bottom of medals dress in a horizontal line. Position medals so they cover the suspension ribbons of the medals in the rows below. Male midshipmen on dinner dress and dinner dress jackets, place the holding bar of the lowest row of miniature medals 3 inches below the notch, centered on the lapel, parallel to the deck. On blue and white service coats, center the holding bar 1/4 inch above the left breast pocket parallel to the deck. Female midshipmen on dinner dress or dinner dress jackets, place the holding bar in the same relative position as on the men's dinner dress jackets, down 1/3 the distance between the shoulder seam and coat hem. On blue and white coats, center the holding bar 1/4 inch above the left pocket flap parallel to the deck.

   2. Arrangement.

      Wear up to five miniature medals in a row with no overlap. Arrange six or more miniature medals following the layout in Table 3-1. Arrange medals in order of precedence in rows from top down, inboard to outboard, within rows. Service members possessing five or more medals may either wear the five senior medals or all of them. On the dinner dress jacket, center up to three miniature medals on the lapel. Position four or more miniatures starting at the inner edge of the lapel extending beyond the lapel on to the body of the jacket.

      Wearing Large Or Miniature Medals
      Number of Medals Per Row
      Number of Medals to be Worn	Prescribed Number of Rows	Top Row	2nd Row	3rd Row	4th Row
      1-5 6 7 8	1 row only 2 2 2	1-5 3 3 4	0 3 4 4	0 0 0 0	0 0 0 0

      
      
      Table 3-1

• Chapter 3 - Insignia And Decorations
• Coat Collar Anchor Insignia
• Class and Rank Insignia
• Ribbons And Medals
• Breast Insignia
• Brassards
• Headgear
• Midshipmen Unit and Personal Award Insignia
• Drum And Bugle Corps Insignia
• Letter Sweater "N"
• Class Rings
• Swords

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Source: https://www.usna.edu/UniformRegs/Chapter3-InsigniaAndDecorations/ribbons-medals.php

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