The Operational Distinguishing Device ("O" device) is a miniature silver inch letter "O" that is authorized by the

United States Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mu ...

as a ribbon device which may be authorized for wear on certain awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard.COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION M1020.6F UNIFORM REGULATIONS MANUAL
/ref> The "O" device is either centered on the suspension and

service ribbon A medal ribbon, service ribbon or ribbon bar is a small ribbon, mounted on a small metal bar equipped with an attaching device, which is generally issued for wear in place of a medal when it is not appropriate to wear the actual medal. Each co ...

of the medal or unit award ribbon, or to the middle-right if there are an even number of letter devices on the ribbon. Any authorized gold Inch Stars alternate around the "O" device. The first star is placed to the wearer’s right of the "O" device and the second star is placed to wearer's left of the "O" device. Only one "O" device may be worn per ribbon. Eligibility criteria are based on a member's or unit's direct participation in missions of an operational "hands on" nature. To qualify for this device on a decoration, both the person's work and unit must be operational in nature. Such examples include

search and rescue Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...

fire fighting Firefighting is the act of extinguishing or preventing the spread of unwanted fires from threatening human lives and destroying property and the environment. A person who engages in firefighting is known as a firefighter. Firefighters typicall ...

, maritime

law enforcement Law enforcement is the activity of some members of government who act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society. The term ...

disaster relief Emergency management or disaster management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management, despite its name, does not actuall ...

, pollution response, and aids to navigation maintenance and operations. The decision to authorize an Operational Distinguishing Device is made by the award approving authority, giving a wide discretion as to what actions may qualify.

Authorized awards

The Operational Distinguishing Device may be authorized for wear on the following awards:COMDTINST M1650.25D, Medals and Awards Manual, Chapter 1, Table 1
/ref> Personal awards * Meritorious Service Medal * Coast Guard Commendation Medal * Coast Guard Achievement Medal * Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon Unit awards * Coast Guard Unit Commendation * Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation * Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation

References

{{USCG decorations Awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard Devices and accouterments of United States military awards

Authorized awards

See also

References