How to Display the Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon, created in 1969 and made retroactive to 1941, is awarded to eligible sailors, Marines and Coast Guard when serving for the Navy. According to Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1650.1H, the Combat Action Ribbon is awarded to service members who, "...have rendered satisfactory performance under enemy fire while actively participating in a ground or surface engagement." Ground engagement is further defined to include encountering improvised explosive devices. The Combat Action Ribbon is worn on dress blues, dress whites, service khakis, service dress blues and service dress whites.
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Instructions
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Refer to the Navy Awards Precedence chart to determine where to place the Combat Action Ribbon on the ribbon bar. The chart is found at npc.navy.mil. The Combat Action Ribbon is immediately preceded by the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and followed by the Presidential Unit Citation. Placement of the Combat Action Ribbon depends on which awards a person already has.
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Slide the Combat Action Ribbon onto the ribbon bar in order of precedence. The outermost blue stripe on the ribbon goes to the right. Ribbons are placed on the ribbon bar in order of precedence from top to bottom and right to left. There is a maximum of three ribbons to a row.
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Pin the ribbon bars, including the Combat Action Ribbon, onto the appropriate uniform. If the uniform requires ribbons only, the bottom ribbon bar should rest ¼ inch above the left breast pocket. On uniforms requiring large medals, ribbons without a corresponding medal (including the Combat Action Ribbon), are placed ¼ inch above the right breast pocket. If an award has both a medal and a ribbon, you would only display the medal.
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Add a gold star for each subsequent Combat Action Ribbon awarded. The stars are centered on the ribbon, with one of the points oriented to the top of the ribbon. A silver star would denote a fifth Combat Action Ribbon award.
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Adjust the placement of the Combat Action Ribbon as necessary when new ribbons are awarded.
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Tips & Warnings
When a service member wears a uniform requiring miniature medals, ribbons without a corresponding medal, including the Combat Action Ribbon, are omitted.
