USMC ribbons are part of the ensemble of a military uniform.
They represent the military awards and honors presented during the Marine’s time in service.
As such, Marine Corps ribbons are awarded for a variety of achievements, including rare distinctions.
There are many ways to identify USMC ribbons, usually by appearance and design.
Interested? Learn more about the 12 USMC Ribbons, below.
Related Article – Top 15 Military Medals / Awards Ranked & Explained
Table of Contents
12 Marine Corps (USMC) Ribbons: Explained
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) awards medals and ribbons.
Often, the best way to determine what a service ribbon or medal represents is to get the background on the military distinction.
In general, the Marine Corps recognizes service ribbons for the following awards:
- Marine Corps Medal / Ribbon
- Marine Corps Commendation Medal / Ribbon
- USMC Achievement Medal / Ribbon
- Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal / Ribbon
- Selected USMC Reserve Military Ribbons
- Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal / Ribbon
- Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Medal / Ribbon
- Marine Corps Recruiting Military Ribbon
- Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
- USMC Security Guard Military Ribbon
- Marine Corps Combat Instructor Military Ribbon
- Marine Corps Reserve Military Ribbon
Discover more about each of the 12 USMC Ribbons, including background, eligibility, design, and authorized devices, below:
#1. Marine Corps Medal Military Ribbon
- Established: 1942
- Authorized Devices: Gold Star
- Design: Navy Blue / Old Gold / Apple Red
The Marine Corps is the highest non-combat decoration provided to service members of the USMC.
Additionally, the military decoration is presented to service members of the U.S. Navy.
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is awarded for heroism and has been presented to sailors and Marines since World War II.
It’s considered the equivalent of the U.S. Army Soldier’s Medal along with the Air and Space Forces Airman’s Medal.
Meanwhile, the United States Coast Guard also presents an equivalent to this medal.
Eligibility for the military distinction is based on the heroic act occurring during a “life-threatening” event or risk.
For this reason, many consider it a very honorable decoration of military service.
More recently, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Medal has been awarded in place of the Lifesaving Medals, which were awarded to Marines who risk life in sea rescues.
The design of the USMC ribbon is simplistic: divided vertically by 3 equal stripes of blue, gold, and red.
The service ribbon compliments a Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
Lastly, the appearance of gold and silver stars on the ribbon denotes the additional times the award has been presented to the recipient.
#2. Marine Corps Commendation Military Ribbon
- Established: 1943
- Authorized Devices: Gold Star, Silver Star, Bronze V
- Design: Green / White
Secondly, the Commendation Military Ribbon is another historic military distinction.
The USMC ribbon compliments the medal, which is considered a mid-level military decoration.
It’s presented along with the medal for acts of heroism or meritorious service.
As such, every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces features its own version of this prestigious award.
Nevertheless, the service ribbon has origins in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
Thus, many in the Marine Corps also consider it among the top military recognitions in the service branch.
Impressively, the origins of this award date to the 1940s, just like the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
Once again, additional honors for the same award are recognized by gold and silver 5/16″ stars.
USMC ribbons are further distinguished with a “V” device or “C” device.
The “V” device reflects actions that are considered “valorous in direct contact with an enemy but a lesser degree than required for the Bronze Star Medal.”
Meanwhile, the “C” device (recently added in 2016) may also join the service ribbon.
It awards Marines for “meritorious service or achievement under the most arduous combat conditions.
These may include being “personally exposed to hostile action” or “in an area where service members were actively engaged.”
Interestingly enough, the Marine Corps variant is not awarded frequently and predominately to higher-ranking enlisted personnel or officers.
Related Article – Bronze Star Meaning: 7 Things To Know About This Military Medal
#3. USMC Achievement Ribbon
- Established: 1961
- Authorized Devices: Gold Star, Silver Star, Bronze V
- Design: Green / Red
The Navy and Marine Corps (USMC) Achievement Military Ribbons came into existence later compared to the previous awards yet still rank high in terms of recognition.
The military decoration is designed to recognize “outstanding achievement or meritorious service.”
As a result, the service ribbon is presented in every branch of the Armed Forces.
Thus, the best way to distinguish the service branch (aside from the medal) is by examining the ribbon.
USMC ribbons are distinguished by green and red stripes.
It looks nearly identical to the design of the Marine Corps Commendation Military Ribbon (see, above) aside from the color difference.
Interestingly enough, the U.S. Navy and USMC were the first branches to award the special honor.
USMC ribbons, like this one, are decorated by additional recognition of the same award or for earning particular devices.
These devices attach to USMC ribbons to recognize additional achievements or specific honors.
In general, the award is determined by local commanders who exercise discretion for when and what to recognize as an outstanding achievement or meritorious service.
#4. Marine Corps Good Conduct Military Ribbon
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- Established: 1896
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star
- Design: Red / Blue
Technically, other USMC ribbons (like the Navy and Marine Corps Medal) outrank the Good Conduct ribbon in terms of superiority.
However, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Military Ribbon actually presides over higher-ranking military decorations in age.
In fact, the Good Conduct Military Ribbon is one of the oldest military awards still in existence.
The military award was first created by the Navy in 1869 and adopted, later, by the Marine Corps.
Since then, the other main branches of the U.S. military have established their own version of the award.
The design of the medal has not been altered since it was created to join the ribbon in 1935.
What’s more, the name of each Marine was personally engraved on the reverse side of the medal until stamping replaced the need in WWII.
Today, the reverse side of the medal no longer includes the name of the Marine, but otherwise, most traditions persist.
The service ribbon is earned based on years of service, which varies depending on what era the Marine was in the Armed Forces.
Finally, the USMC variant includes silver and bronze 3/16″ stars recognize additional awards.
Related Article – Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): 8 Things To Know
#5. Selected USMC Reserve Military Ribbons
- Established: 1925
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star
- Design: Red / White / Blue / Bronze
The Selected Marine Corps Reserve Military Ribbons, like most USMC ribbons, are designed to replace the medal when it’s not practical to wear it on the uniform.
For this reason, military ribbons feature unique colors and patterns to separate their design from each other.
The Selected Marine Reserve Military Ribbon, like many awards, has a long history dating to the 1920s.
Accordingly, there are numerous recipients of this special military decoration.
Eligibility for the service ribbon has been recently changed to meet the service years required to earn the Good Conduct Medal, which is 3 years.
You’ll recognize additional awards thanks to the bronze stars that compliment the ribbon.
The Marine Corps classifies this type of award as a “Service Award” and the type as a “Reserve Medal.”
These types of military awards are presented more frequently for meeting the specified length of time and other service requirements.
#6. Marine Corps Expeditionary Military Ribbon
- Established: 1919
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star, Silver W
- Design: Red / Tan
Then, there is the Marine Corps Expeditionary Military Ribbon.
It was created specifically for the service branch, and the history of the award is substantial.
The award was established in 1919, known then as the Marine Corps Expeditionary Ribbon.
A few years later, the Marine Corps added a full-sized medal to accompany the award.
Today, the service ribbon and medal remain among the oldest awards presented to active duty personnel.
There are several stipulations for receiving the medal, including:
- The Marine engaged in a landing on foreign territory;
- Participated in combat operations against an opposing force; or
- Participated in a designated operation for which no other service medal is authorized.
Moreover, the ribbon compliments one of the most historic medals still in existence.
The front side of the medal features a 1920s-era Marine in full combat gear.
Meanwhile, the reverse side portrays an eagle upon an anchor.
In the past, subsequent awards of the Expeditionary Medal were denoted in numerals on the medal.
Since 1921, multiple awards are designated by bronze service stars.
#7. Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service
- Established: 1986
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star
- Design: Light Blue / Gold / Navy Blue / Red
The Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon has some similarities to the Expeditionary Ribbon.
For example, both are presented to Marines that spend a portion of their duty overseas.
The USMC ribbon directly recognizes this type of service; however, it’s not the only branch to acknowledge being overseas.
The Navy combines with the Marine Corps to present the same ribbon, which has a multicolor appearance to reflect the joint activity of both branches overseas.
It’s one of the more modern service awards, as the Marine Corps version has only been in existence since 1986.
The ribbon is presented to Marines and sailors that complete 1 year of consecutive or cumulative duty at a permanent overseas duty station.
Furthermore, it’s possible to receive the award through a reserve component.
Additional awards are presented on the ribbon with service stars.
Lastly, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (SSDR) is specifically awarded to eligible members deployed in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Related Article – Military TDY: Temporary Duty Assignment Explained
#8. Marine Corps Recruiting Military Ribbon
- Established: 1995
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star
- Design: Blue / Red
The United States Marine Corps presents awards for specialized reasons.
Thus, military decorations like the Marine Corps Recruiting Military Ribbon exist.
It’s another fairly modern military award, officially adopted starting in 1995.
The service ribbon is provided to Marines who complete the standard 36-month tour with U.S. Marine Corps Command.
Accordingly, the service award is presented to both enlisted personnel and Marine officers.
Every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces offers a version of the award, including the Army Recruiter Badge.
In general, local command recruiters and recruiting aides are not eligible for the military designation.
Finally, the medal and ribbon are classified as a “Service Award” of the “Recruiting Service” type.
#9. Marine Corps Drill Instructor Military Ribbon
- Established: 1997
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star
- Design: Green / Silver
The USMC Drill Instructor ribbon is similar to the one designated for military recruiters.
Consequently, there is a variant issued to all the other main branches of the Armed Forces.
In general, the ribbon (regardless of its version) recognizes service members that are trained and qualified to serve as military instructors during basic training.
Marine Drill Sergeants are infamous, so it’s not shocking that there is a military award specifically designed for the rating.
Furthermore, the ribbon dates back to 1997 and mandates a few requirements.
Additionally, it has also been retroactively authorized to be awarded to Marines that served after October 6, 1952.
Thus, like many USMC ribbons, additional service stars demonstrate multiple earnings of the same acknowledgment.
#10. Marine Corps Security Guard Military Ribbon
- Established: 1997
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star
- Design: Navy Blue / White / Red
The Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon is another award that goes to specific military personnel.
It was established in 1997 to recognize Marines that serve as U.S. Embassy Security Guards.
The service award, like many on the list, is retroactive and therefore presented to eligible personnel from January 28, 1949, to the present day.
Marines are eligible to receive the distinction after the completion of 36 months of service at a foreign establishment.
Lastly, subsequent designations are awarded for each successful 36-month tour of duty.
#11. Marine Corps Combat Instructor Military Ribbon
- Established: 2014
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star
- Design: Olive Green / Silver / Black
The Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon is one of the most recent awards to get recognized in the U.S. military.
As a result, it was established in 2014 by the Secretary of the U.S. Navy.
The purpose of the award is to recognize the completion of a tour as a Combat Instructor.
Additionally, the award is presented to high-profile leadership positions at the School of Infantry, East or West.
It’s one of the more unique USMC ribbons in design, featuring a combination of olive green, silver, and black.
Moreover, subsequent awards are designated on the ribbon with 3/16″ bronze service stars.
Finally, those decorated with a silver service star have earned their 6th recognition of the award.
Related Article – Army Service Ribbon (ASR): 5 Things To Know
#12. Marine Corps Reserve Military Ribbon
- Established: 1945
- Authorized Devices: Bronze Star
- Design: Red / Tan
Last but not least, there is the little-known Marine Corps Reserve Military Ribbon.
Impressively, the award has a long history with origins that date back to the conclusion of World War II.
As such, the military ribbon is presented by the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps for each 10-year period of honorable service in the Reserve component.
In the past, it was presented to Marines between 1945 – 1965.
Since then, military service that would have qualified for the accomplishment is awarded through the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Thus, it may be rare to find this service ribbon, but it was in existence for a couple of decades.
Conclusion
The Marine Corps has a unique way of recognizing service members, just like every military branch.
As a result, USMC ribbons reflect the many redeeming qualities of Marines, including dedication and sacrifice to service.
For this reason, the service branch presents numerous awards to recognize military achievement and honorable service.
USMC ribbons are ranked in order of precedence, yet each one designates noteworthy service in the Marine Corps.
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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