I noticed recently that the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Martin Dempsey, US Army has been wearing only two of his several rows of ribbons on a uniform in public. This puzzles me, and I wonder if anyone would please explain why he is doing that? I didn't know anyone could choose to wear fewer. Here are two photos for comparison:

This is a closer photo of the two rows he has chosen to wear. I cannot quite make them out, but would be very interested to learn which ones they are in particular:

He is wearing only his Meritorious Service Medal and above.

 

This probably falls into the category of "a general can do whatever he wants."

I almost never wear more than 3 unless there is an inspection and even then its only if I feel like it. Maintaining a large number of ribbons on a uniform is expensive. It's annoying to have to go out and buy and put together a new set every couple of months.

 

Most of the Navy's senior leadership typically only wears their top 3 unless they have to go to Capitol Hill for some reason. Most people who have more than 5 rows don't wear them all the time.

Thanks so much... learning something every day is why I visit USMF.

 

I found myself wondering how it was that such a high ranking officer, with so few ribbons and none combat that I could decipher in the few seconds they appeared on TV, would have been wearing a CIB - silly stupid me! But, I knew there HAD to be a reasonable answer. I guess this must be the first time I've ever paid that much attention to such details, but it really stood out compared with the rows and rows and rows, for example, Gen. Petraeus wore in public.

Thanks so much... learning something every day is why I visit USMF.

 

I found myself wondering how it was that such a high ranking officer, with so few ribbons and none combat that I could decipher in the few seconds they appeared on TV, would have been wearing a CIB - silly stupid me! But, I knew there HAD to be a reasonable answer. I guess this must be the first time I've ever paid that much attention to such details, but it really stood out compared with the rows and rows and rows, for example, Gen. Petraeus wore in public.

 

and some people just like to show off

It has long been the custom to NOT wear one's "full rack" other than on dress-up occasions. Usually the ONE or TWO top rows are worn.

 

I know a COL who had three Silver Stars, so many Bronze Stars that he had a SILVER OLC and one or two bronze ones, and many lesser ones. Most frequently he wore ONE ribbon. The DSC. He figured this "about covered it". Sometimes he would add the ribbon of the Purple Heart -- with its SILVER OLC.

Thanks so much... learning something every day is why I visit USMF.

 

I found myself wondering how it was that such a high ranking officer, with so few ribbons and none combat that I could decipher in the few seconds they appeared on TV, would have been wearing a CIB - silly stupid me! But, I knew there HAD to be a reasonable answer. I guess this must be the first time I've ever paid that much attention to such details, but it really stood out compared with the rows and rows and rows, for example, Gen. Petraeus wore in public.

Actually, that is the Combat Action Badge (CAB) he is wearing, not the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

 

With the number of ribbons some generals and even lower ranks have today, I always assumed that it would be uncomfortable to wear ribbons and badges up to your chin. Gen. Petraeus is a perfect example. His top badge actually went a little under his shoulder eppaulettes.

Actually, that is the Combat Action Badge (CAB) he is wearing, not the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

oops, another eyesight failure

Did the Army change their regs? I thought it was a requirement to wear ALL of your ribbons on the Army uniform? At least it used to be...

The rules for Generals are different than for a grunt...that's why they get the (optional) nice leather belts with round buckles, special holsters etc.......I think I have a picture from a ceremony I staged for a Medal of Honor Flag presentation that shows a 101st AB General with special belt/buckle......let me see if I can locate it.....

 

 

Mark sends

Here you go...I arranged a ceremony for the presentation of the Medal of Honor Flag for Specialist 4th Class Joseph G. LaPointe's widow and son on the 40th anniversary of his death (02 June 2009)...he was a member of B Troop 2/17, 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division...so the division sent Brigadier General Richard W. Thomas, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Commander to make the presentation. He wore ACU's but with his optional General's pattern belt and buckle. This is a pic of him and Cindy LaPointe-Dafler.

 

Mark sends

As a side note, here's the inside of the programme with Sp4 LaPointe's MoH action.......

Unless reality has changed GOs can prescribe their uniform

This all kind of goes back to my thread on Ribbon Bar Etiquette....doesn't it ?

This is actually stated in current Army uniform regulations that one may choose to wear only the top six ribbon decorations. I am certain the Navy & USAF regs state that one can wear just the top three decorations if they choose to.

 

Also, the GO Belt is an "issue item" that in all of the Flag Rank promotions I've seen the belt is formally presented to the new BG. I worked in a G-3, J-3, and also Division level & Corps level Special Staff overseas and saw the belts worn for cereomonies in theater.

This is actually stated in current Army uniform regulations that one may choose to wear only the top six ribbon decorations. I am certain the Navy & USAF regs state that one can wear just the top three decorations if they choose to.

 

Also, the GO Belt is an "issue item" that in all of the Flag Rank promotions I've seen the belt is formally presented to the new BG. I worked in a G-3, J-3, and also Division level & Corps level Special Staff overseas and saw the belts worn for ceremonies in theater.

 

Which paragraph does it say "one may choose to wear only the top six ribbon decorations"?

 

I found "Awards are worn at the option of the wearer when not prohibited during normal duty hours." But that it is not clear whether that means all or none, 6, or pick & choose.

I found "Awards are worn at the option of the wearer when not prohibited during normal duty hours." But that it is not clear whether that means all or none, 6, or pick & choose.

That is what I have been wondering about, too.

 

What struck me, in relative innocence, is it seemed to me that any General (or equivalent) would certainly have all necessary regulations well in mind, or at the tip of their fingertips or the fingertips of a close Aide - governing what they did and did not wear and when; and therefore whatever it is they are wearing can be expected to fit within bounds. I wasn't questioning the General's decision to wear six of his choice, but just trying to learn what his reasoning was.

 

But then, we not long ago here had quite an extensive dialogue about what General MacArthur wore and when and why, etc.

I only wore two rows of ribbons when I was in the Army. Wait? :think: That is all I ever had so never mind.

There's got to be something in the regs, somewhere. General and Flag rank officers these days don't do the flagrant disregard for regulations like some of their more famous early predecessors. In fact, the admiral whose staff I just came off of would fire a staffer if his uniform wasn't 100% by-the-book correct (I saw it come close to happening several times...) Our boss, a four star, was particularly picky about his uniform being exactly by-the-book, and any change, even the slightest, would be relayed to our staff with the utmost urgency if our boss was going to be with him.

 

I can't fathom General Dempsey just saying: "Hey, I'm the boss, so I'll wear what I think looks cool today..." I'm not seeing it...

 

Dave

For the AF the rules are really simple now. On the coat all are worn, this is right out of AFI 36-2903 18 July 2011.

 

4.9.1.3.3. Ribbons. All ribbons and devices will be worn on the men’s service dress uniform.

 

4.10.1.3.3. Ribbons. All ribbons and devices will be worn on the women’s service dress uniform.

 

Mike

USAF Retired

??? Double post 30 minutes later?

I guess remembering getting gigged by the base Apes for wearing unauthorized (at the time) rhodium hardware sticks in the mind, too. Difficult though to imagine an A1C sky cop stopping the General's car to write him up for something amiss on a uniform.

The relevant paragraph of AR 670-1 states:

 

For all of my 25+ years in the Army, this has meant that you can wear all, none, or some of your awards at your own discretion unless the commander should specify differently per para. 29-2a above.

 

The ones you wear have to be serviceable and in the proper order of precedence, but which ones you wear, or if you even wear them, is up to the individual.

Thanks so much for that!

Which paragraph does it say "one may choose to wear only the top six ribbon decorations"?

 

I found "Awards are worn at the option of the wearer when not prohibited during normal duty hours." But that it is not clear whether that means all or none, 6, or pick & choose.

 

Of course my luck I don't have the reference in front of me. I read it in I think Army Times about two or so weeks ago. It was announcing more but small uniforms changes. Of course the last AR 670-1 is dated what Feb 05? I'm TDY right now but when I get home in a few weeks I'll dig for that again in the meantime I'll try to see if I can find it online. I saw one fellow on Gordon just wearing his CAB on his service dress with no ribbons. Hell we get many of them for doing what we are just supposed to do so why not just wear the highest ones? Our CG's drivers (E-5s) got BSMs last year just for driving and washing the car. As far as I know no other accomplishments.