The Recruiting Service Ribbon is a

military award Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion. Civil decorations awarded ...

of the

United States Armed Forces The United States Armed Forces are the Military, military forces of the United States. U.S. United States Code, federal law names six armed forces: the United States Army, Army, United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps, United States Navy, Na ...

which is issued by every

branch of service Military branch (also service branch or armed service) is according to common standard a subdivision of the national Military, armed forces of a sovereign nation or state. Types of branches Unified armed forces The Canadian Armed Forces is ...

. The

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

previously only had the Army Recruiting Badge but this has since changed as of 2023 with the Army Recruiting Ribbon. The Recruiting Service Ribbon recognizes those military service members who have completed a successful tour as a military recruiter in one of the United States Military Recruiting Commands.

United States Marine Corps

The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon was authorized by order of the Secretary of the Navy on June 7, 1995, with retroactive presentations to January 1, 1973. The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon is awarded to Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel who complete a standard 36-month tour in a United States

Marine Corps Recruiting Command The Marine Corps Recruiting Command is a command of the United States Marine Corps responsible for military recruitment of civilians into the Corps. In addition to finding volunteers to join, it is also responsible for preparing them for United ...

. Eligible Billets: (a) Marines possessing MOS 4810 or 8412 and have served in MOS 4810 or 8412 billets. (b) Marines possessing MOS 8411 and assigned to duty in a recruiting billet (MOS 8411). (c)

Headquarters. (d) Marine Corps Districts: CO; Operations Office; Assistant for Officer Programs; Prior Service Recruiting Officer; Assistant for Aviation Officer Procurement; Assistant for Enlisted Recruiting; and

Sergeant Major Sergeant major is a senior Non-commissioned officer, non-commissioned Military rank, rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. History In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's ...

. (e) Recruiting Stations:

Commanding Officer The commanding officer (CO) or commander, or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG), is the officer in command of a military unit. The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually give ...

;

Executive Officer An executive officer is a person who is principally responsible for leading all or part of an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization. In many militaries and police forces, an executive officer ...

; Operations Officer; Officer Selection Officer; and

. (f) Command recruiters, (also known as career planners), recruiter aides, and recruiter assistants are not eligible for the MCRR.

United States Navy

The Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy in February 1989. The first issuance of the award was made on June 1 of that same year with the award retroactive to July 1, 1973. To be awarded the Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, a service member must be assigned to one of the United States Navy's Major Recruiting Commands and must complete a standard three-year tour of duty. Award of the Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon is open to all branches of the Navy, including reservists on active duty for special work (ADSW) programs. All those qualifying for the Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon must receive a recommendation from their Commanding officer before the ribbon is presented. Additional awards of the Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon are denoted by

service star A service star is a miniature bronze or silver five-pointed star in diameter that is authorized to be worn by members of the eight uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons to denote an additional award or service period. T ...

s. Bronze numerals, placed near the right edge of the ribbon, are used to denote the number of Gold Wreath awards earned for superior productivity. The Navy also authorizes a

Recruiter Badge The Recruiter Badge is a decoration of the United States uniformed services that is awarded to personnel who have performed recruitment duties as service recruiters. The Recruiter Badge is issued by every branch of the U.S. uniform services excep ...

which is worn as a temporary award during a service member's tour of duty as a naval recruiter.

United States Air Force

Since 4 September 2014, service as a recruiter is recognized by the award of the Developmental Special Duty Ribbon, along with Air Force and Space Force training instructors. Prior to the creation of the Special Duty ribbon, the

Air Force Recruiter Ribbon The Recruiting Service Ribbon is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which is issued by every branch of service. The United States Army previously only had the Army Recruiting Badge but this has since changed as of 2023 with ...

was established by order of the Secretary of the Air Force on June 21, 2000. It was worth 2 points in the Weighted Airmen Promotion System at one point, and was declared obsolete in 2014. Personnel graduating from the Air Force Recruiting School had worn the Air Force Recruiter Ribbon immediately provided that the service member is serving in a United States Air Force Command. After thirty six months of recruiting duty, the award was awarded permanently providing the service member's tour as a recruiter has been free of disciplinary action. Additional awards of the Air Force Recruiter Ribbon were denoted by

oak leaf cluster An oak leaf cluster is a ribbon device to denote preceding decorations and awards consisting of a miniature bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem. It is authorized by the United States Armed Forces for a spec ...

s, and was carried on to the Special Duty ribbon, and the award was retroactive to any member of the Air Force who performed thirty six months or more as an Air Force recruiter, provided that the service member was on active duty after June 2000. The Air Force also issues a Recruiter Badge for temporary wear while serving in duties as an Air Force Recruiter. This has been changed, allowing members to permanently wear the badge after completion of recruiting duty.

United States Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon was created by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on November 2, 1995. The award is retroactive to January 1, 1980, and is presented to any member of the Coast Guard who completes a standard two-year tour as a Coast Guard Recruiter. Additional awards of the Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon are denoted by service stars. Like the Navy, the Coast Guard also issues a Recruiter Badge as a temporary award worn while a service member is serving as a Coast Guard Recruiter.

United States Army

The Army Recruiting Ribbon was established in 2023 as part of the Soldier Referral Program. This allows all soldiers in the United States Army to participate in recruiting. All Army personnel, officer, warrant, or enlisted, who make a qualified referral that results in enlistment and shipping out to Basic Combat Training will be eligible for the ribbon. Individuals may earn the award four times, with each award worth 10 promotion points.

References

{{USArmy decorations Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force Awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard Awards and decorations of the United States Marine Corps Awards and decorations of the United States Navy Awards and decorations of the United States Army Awards established in 1995 Awards established in 1989 Awards established in 2000 Awards established in 2023 Military recruitment Military ribbons of the United States US Coast Guard ribbon symbolism