Lafayette Composite Squadron
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Senior Ribbons

Ribbon Names and How to Earn Them:

CAP Decorations
Silver Medal of Valor

Silver Medal of Valor

Bronze Medal of Valor

Bronze Medal of Valor

Distinguised Service Award

Distinguished Service Award

Exceptional Service Award

Exceptional Service Award

Meritorious Service Award

Meritorious Service Award

Commander's Commendation Award

Commander’s Commendation Award

CAP Achievement Award

CAP Achievement Award

Certificate of Recognition For Lifesafing

Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving

National Commander's Unit Citation

National Commander’s Unit Citation Award

 

Unit Citation Award

Unit Citation Award

Silver Medal of Valor:

Distinguished and conspicuous heroic action, at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of normal duty.

Bronze Medal of Valor:

Distinguished and conspicuous heroic action where danger to self is probable and known.

Distinguished Service Award:

Conspicuous performance of outstanding service in a duty of great responsibility where the position held and results obtained reflect upon the accomplishments and prestige of CAP on a national scale. Recognition should be for an extremely difficult duty of marked national significance which is performed in a clearly outstanding manner or service which clearly aided CAP in furthering national polices.

Exceptional Service Award:

Exceptionally outstanding service to CAP in a duty of great responsibility while serving in any capacity with CAP. However, the duty should carry the ultimate responsibility for the successful operation of a region, wing or major project within the region or wing. The discharge of such duty must involve the acceptance and fulfillment of the obligation so as to greatly benefit the wing or region and CAP.

Meritorious Service Award:

Outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of CAP. Superior performance of normal duties does not, in itself, constitute automatic justification for the Meritorious Service Award. Awards should be restricted to the recognition of achievements and services which are clearly outstanding and unmistakably exceptional when compared to similar achievements and accomplishments of personnel of like rank and responsibilities.

Commander’s Commendation Award:

Outstanding duty performance where achievements and services are clearly and unmistakably exceptional when compared to similar achievements and service of members of like rank and responsibility.  A bronze star is added to the ribbon when the award is authorized by the region commander.  A silver star is added to the ribbon when the award is authorized by the National Commander.

CAP Achievement Award

Presented for outstanding service to the unit, group or wing. This award may be approved by the group commander.

Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving:

Awarded to members who save a human life, but do not meet the criteria for the Bronze or Silver Medal of Valor. Members who are credited with a save as a result of participation in a blood or organ transport mission will be awarded the basic ribbon. A silver star will be attached to the ribbon in recognition of lifesaving actions other than blood or organ transport.

National Commander’s Unit Citation Award:

The National Commander’s Unit Citation Award is awarded only at the discretion of the National Commander to units providing services or achievements above and beyond those normally recognized by a Unit Citation Award.

Unit Citation Award:

Awarded for exceptionally meritorious service or exceptionally outstanding achievement which clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units.

Professional Development Awards
Gill Rob Wilson Award

Gill Rob Wilson Award

Paul E. Garber Award

Paul E. Garber Award

Grover Loening Aerospace Award

Grover Loening Aerospace Award

Leadership Award

Leadership Award

 

Membership Award

Membership Award

Gill Rob Wilson Award:

Successfully complete Level V training requirements. A bronze star will be added to denote completion of Squadron Officer School. A silver star will be added to denote completion of Air Command and Staff College. A gold star will be added to denote completion of Air War College.

Paul E. Garber Award:

Successfully complete Level IV training requirements. A bronze star will be added to denote completion of Squadron Officer School, a silver star will be added for completion of Air Command and Staff College and, a gold star will be added for completion of Air War College.

Grover Loening Aerospace Award:

Successfully complete Level III training requirements.

Leadership Award:

Successfully complete technician rating in a training specialty.  Bronze Star Attachment – Successfully complete senior rating in a training specialty.  Silver Star Attachment – Successfully complete master rating in a training specialty.

Membership Award:

Successfully complete Level I CAP Orientation Course.

 

Aerospace  Education Awards
Scott Crossfield Award

Scott Crossfield Award

 

Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award.

Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award

Scott Crossfield Award:

Awarded by National Headquarters to members who have earned the master level rating in the aerospace education specialty track and served as aerospace education officer.

Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award:

Awarded for successful completion of the Yeager test portion of the Aerospace Education Program for Senior Members (AEPSM).

Service and Activity Ribbons
Command Service Ribbon

Command Service Ribbon

 

Crisis Service Ribbon

Red Service Ribbon

Red Service Ribbon

Find Ribbon

Find Ribbon

Search and Rescue Ribbon

Search and Rescue Ribbon

Counterdrug Ribbon

Counterdrug Ribbon

Dissaster Relief Ribbon

Disaster Relief Ribbon

Homeland Security Ribbon

Homeland Security Ribbon

Cadet Orientation Pilot Ribbon

Cadet Orientation Pilot Ribbon

Community Service Ribbon

Community Service Ribbon

International Air Cadet Exchange Ribbon

International Air Cadet Exchange Ribbon

National Cadet Competition Ribbon

National Cadet Competition Ribbon

National Color Guard Competition Ribbon

National Color Guard Competition Ribbon

Cadet Advisory Coucil Ribbon

Cadet Advisory Council Ribbon

National Cadet Special Activity Ribbon

National Cadet Special Activity Ribbon

Encampment Ribbon

Encampment Ribbon

 

Senior Recruiter Ribbon

Senior Recruiter Ribbon

Command Service Ribbon:

Awarded to senior members who have served at least 1 year continuous service as commander—squadron, group, wing, etc. The basic ribbon is awarded for service as a squadron commander. A bronze star is added to denote service as group commander, a silver star for wing commander, and a gold star for region commander service. Two gold stars will be used to denote service as National Commander.

Crisis Service Ribbon:

Awarded for service during a time when the entire organization was under significant stress responding to a length, nation-wide emergency.  The National Commander will determine when to grant this award and the period of service involved.

Red Service Ribbon:

Awarded at the end of 2 years of service in good standing.

Find Ribbon:

Awarded by the wing commander (or a subordinate commander if authority is delegated by the wing commander) to any CAP member of the wing making a find (distress or non-distress) on a search and rescue mission. A bronze propeller may be attached for aircrew members.

Search and Rescue Ribbon:

Participate in at least 10 search and rescue sorties. Aircrew members may attach a bronze propeller to the ribbon.

Counterdrug Award:

Awarded to senior members for participation in 10 counterdrug sorties.

Disaster Relief Ribbon:

Awarded for participation in five actual/evaluated disaster relief missions and completion of two of the following requirements:

  1. All of the following Red Cross Courses: Introduction to Dissaster Services, Disaster Damage Assessment, and Shelter Management.
  2. The Red Cross course, Damage Assessment Supervision in Disaster.
  3. The Red Cross course, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced First Aid.
  4. Radiological Monitoring for Instructors.
  5. Radiological Defense Officer Course.
  6. Airborne Radiological Monitoring Course.
  7. Participation in other equivalent disaster relief activities totaling at least 40 hours of activity certified by disaster relief agency. This could include any training similar to the above courses and/or actual mission activity (in addition to the five required missions).

The Disaster Relief Ribbon with a silver “V” device may be awarded to any CAP member who participates in a disaster relief effort for a Presidential declared disaster.  The ribbon may be awarded regardless of completion of requirements above.

Homeland Security Ribbon:

Awarded for participation in ten actual Homeland Security sorties as defined by the tasking organization as being in the interest of the security and/or defense of the nation.

Cadet Orientation Pilot Ribbon:

Awarded to members who provide 50 cadet orientation flights.

Comunity Service Ribbon:

Awarded to members who complete 60 hours of community service outside of Civil Air Patrol.

International Air Cadet Exchange Ribbon:

Awarded to cadets and senior member escorts participating in the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) outside the continental limits of the United States.

National Cadet Competition Ribbon:

Awarded for participation in the National Cadet Drill Competition. The basic ribbon will be worn by cadets who are the winner of the wing competition and/or cadets selected to represent the wing at a region competition. A bronze star will be affixed for the winners of the region competition, and a silver star will be worn by the sweepstakes winners of the national competition.  Senior Members who earned this ribbon as a cadet may continue to wear the ribbon.  The ribbon may also be awarded to a maximum of six senior members per team, who were responsible for escorting, chaperoning and training their respective teams at the wing, region and national level competitions.

National Color Guard Competition Ribbon:

Awarded for participation in the National Color Guard Competition. The basic ribbon will be worn by cadets who are the winner of the wing competition and/or cadets selected to represent the wing at a region competition. A bronze star will be affixed for the winners of the region competition, and a silver star will be worn by the sweepstakes winner of the national competition.  Senior Members who earned this ribbon as a cadet may continue to wear the ribbon.  The ribbon may also be awarded to a maximum of three senior members per team, who were responsible for escorting, chaperoning and training their respective teams at the wing, region and national level competitions.

Cadet Advisory Council Ribbon:

Awarded to all primary members of each cadet advisory council. Group level CAC will wear basic ribbon, bronze star at wing level, silver star at region level, and gold star at national level.  Senior members who served as CAC members during their cadet tenure may continue to wear the ribbon.

National Cadet Special Activities Ribbon:

Awarded to cadets and senior members who participate in national cadet special activities.  Cadets earning this ribbon may continue to wear the ribbon as a senior member.

Encampment Ribbon:

Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of an encampment and to senior members for service as a member of an encampment staff.

Senior Recruiter Ribbon:

Awarded to senior members who recruit seven new qualified cadets or senior members for CAP.

 

 

Qualifications taken from CAPR 39-3

How to Wear Ribbons:

Make Your Own Ribbon Racks!

Taken From CAPR 39-1

11.1. Wear Instructions.

11.1.1. Wear only regular size ribbons and miniature size medals.

11.1.2. Ribbons and devices are mandatory with the USAF-style Service Dress (Class A) and USAF-style Semiformal uniforms, and optional with the USAF-style Blue Service Uniform (Class B) and Corporate-style Aviator Shirt Uniforms. When ribbons and devices are worn, all authorized ribbons will be worn on USAF-style uniforms, except:

11.1.2.1. Senior Member Officers and NCOs. When ribbon wear is mandatory, members may wear all or some of their authorized ribbons.

11.1.2.2. Cadets. Cadets may choose to reduce the height of their ribbon bar by removing all cadet achievement ribbons but their highest Cadet Program achievement ribbon.

11.1.3. Ribbons and medals will not be worn with the Corporate Service Dress Uniform, Battle Dress Uniform, Corporate Field Uniform, Flight Duty Uniforms, and Corporate Working Uniform. Do not wear medals and ribbons on outer garments such as the pullover sweater, the cardigan sweater, the lightweight blue jacket, the topcoat or the all-weather coat.

11.1.4. Miniature medals will only be worn on the Mess Dress and Corporate Semiformal uniform. Officers and NCOs may choose to wear some or all their authorized medals on the Mess Dress and Corporate Semiformal uniforms but are encouraged to demonstrate restraint in the total number of medals worn when awards from CAP and the military services are worn together.

11.1.5. CAP members wearing a civilian tuxedo or business suit for formal occasions may elect to wear miniature CAP medals on the left breast. Female members may wear miniature medals on equivalent dress. No other badges or devices will be worn.

11.1.6. Do not wear military ribbons or medals on Corporate-style uniforms.

11.1.7. Wear only authorized awards and devices.

11.1.8. The lapel of the service coat may cover a portion of the ribbons.

11.1.9. National Guard ribbons and medals are not authorized on USAF-style or Corporate uniforms.

 

11.2. Wear of Awards.

11.2.1. Precedence. The general order of precedence for wear of awards is 1) US Federal Awards, 2) CAP Awards, 3) JROTC/ROTC Awards, and 4) Foreign Awards.

11.2.2. US Awards. Federal awards awarded by the competent authority may be worn on USAF-style uniforms in accordance with instructions contained in AFI 36-2903. National Guard awards will not be worn.

11.2.3. The Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, if earned as a member of CAP, will be worn above all CAP Awards and below US Federal Awards. Members who have earned the award while serving in the USAF and again while serving in CAP, will wear 2 awards. One as prescribed in AFI 36-2903, and one between their US Federal Awards and their CAP Awards. This award is not authorized for wear on the CAP Corporate uniforms.

11.2.4. CAP Awards. CAP awards will be worn following US federal awards in accordance with the order of precedence set by CAPR 39-3, Award of CAP Medals, Ribbons and Certificates.

11.2.5. JROTC/ROTC Awards. Three JROTC/ROTC ribbons awarded by military departments may be worn following CAP ribbons (except foreign ribbons) while the member concerned is enrolled in the JROTC/ROTC program. When the member is no longer participating in the JROTC/ROTC program, JROTC/ROTC ribbons will be removed.

11.2.6. Foreign Awards. Foreign awards are so many and so varied, the number and combinations that may be worn will not be prescribed; however, good taste and judgment should prevail. Only those decorations that have been duly approved by Congress for acceptance and wear by the individual may be worn. CAP/DP should be contacted for direction in advance of wearing foreign awards with CAP uniforms.

11.2.7. Wear of Ribbons. Ribbons will always be placed on wearer’s left with bottom row resting on, but not over, top edge of left welt or pocket. Figure 11-1 provides direction on how to lay out ribbon bars. When worn in rows of three, ribbons will be centered above the pocket between the left and right pocket edges. Only to prevent the service coat lapel from covering the ribbons, additional rows of ribbons containing less than three may be aligned with the left ribbon edge. The top row of ribbons will be centered over the row immediately below. Only rows of three are authorized for the USAF-style Blue Service Uniform (Class B) and the Aviator Shirt Uniform. When worn in rows of four, which is only authorized on the USAF-style Service Dress (Class A), the left edge of the ribbons may be aligned with the left edge of the welt or pocket or centered above the left welt or pocket. Only to prevent the service coat lapel from covering the ribbons, additional row of ribbons containing less than four may be aligned with the left welt or pocket edge with the top row of ribbons centered over the row immediately below. There will be no space between the rows of ribbons.

11.2.8. Wear of Miniature Medals on the Mess Dress and Corporate Semiformal Uniforms. Miniature medals will be worn as shown in Table 11-1. When fewer than five miniature medals are worn, all will be fully exposed. If more than four are worn on one row, each medal may equally overlap the medal to the left but the overlap will not exceed 50%; the medal nearest the lapel will be fully exposed. Upper rows will be placed to cover approximately 50% of the ribbon portion of the medals in the row below.

11.3. Description of Medals and Ribbons. Miniature medals are approximately ½ the size of regular medals. Note: The Medal of Honor is always regular size. Regular-size ribbons are 1 ⅜ x ⅜ inches and miniature ribbons are 11/16 x ⅜ inches. 11.3.1. Affix ribbons to the uniform using a detachable, metal or plastic clip device. Keep ribbons clean and unfrayed.

11.3.2. Ribbons will not have a visible protective coating.

11.3.3. There is no space between the rows of ribbons.

 

11.4. Devices on CAP Medals and Ribbons.

11.4.1. Devices will be worn on CAP ribbons in accordance with instructions found in CAPR 39-3, Award of CAP Medals, Ribbons and Certificates.

11.4.2. Devices will be worn on the ribbon of CAP miniature medals in accordance with instructions found in CAPR 39-3 for ribbons, except the devices will be rotated clockwise to be worn vertically rather than horizontally. Wear only separate devices on medals. Precedence will be to the top of the miniature medal ribbon (rather than to the right), and devices worn centered horizontally will be centered vertically. Wear a maximum of four devices unless wearing more prevents adding a second medal. Place silver clasps, stars, etc. above similar bronze devices. Either full size or miniature attachments (clasps, stars, etc.) may be worn on the miniature medals; however, all devices will be the same size.

11.5. Policy for Wear of CAP Awards Decorations on Civilian Attire. Members may wear CAP miniature medals on a civilian tuxedo or business suit for formal occasions. Female members may wear miniature medals on equivalent formal dress. No other wear of CAP Awards and Decorations on civilian attire is authorized.

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