View Full Version : Question for someone in the Army (awards related)
I am planning on building a box for my girlfriend who used to be in the Army. She has 5 ARCOM's, one with the "V" device. Is the proper uniform placement for this to have two ARCOM's one with the "V" device centered, followed by one with 3 OLC attached?
AR 670-1
29–12. Wear of appurtenances
Appurtenances are devices affixed to service or suspension ribbons, or worn in lieu of medals or ribbons. They are
worn to denote an additional award, participation in a specific event, or some other distinguishing characteristic of an
award. The following appurtenances are authorized for wear on decorations, medals, ribbons and other awards, when
authorized by appropriate authority. When more than one appurtenance is worn, soldiers will ensure all devices are
centered on the ribbon. (See AR 600–8–22 for additional information.)
a. Oak leaf clusters.
(1) A bronze twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on each stem is worn to denote award of second and
succeeding awards of decorations (other than the Air Medal), the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and
unit awards. A silver oak leaf cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters. It is worn to the wearer’s right of a bronze oak leaf cluster and to the left of the “V” device.
I would say one ribbon, V device on the wearer's left of the oak leaves?
Build the rack on this website, it will place the ribbons and devices correctly:
http://www.ultrathin.com/
What do you do when you cannot affix 3 OLC's and a "V" device to the same ribbon? Do you add another ribbon of the same type?
What do you do when you cannot affix 3 OLC's and a "V" device to the same ribbon? Do you add another ribbon of the same type?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Leaf_Cluster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_device
I think an additional ribbon would be authorized then. I would build the rack on that other website to give you a visual representation.
From: EZRackbuilder.com in the army regulations section.
"If the number of authorized oak leaf clusters exceeds four and will not fit on a single ribbon, a second ribbon is authorized for wear. When the second ribbon is worn, it is placed after the first ribbon; the second ribbon counts as one award."
So for example when I would order my rack from EZrackbuilder or some other site the placement would be shown here imagine other ribbons around it.
46163
Somethiong like this (From EZRackbuilder.com) This is where you can definately get the Placement and order of precedence correct if you don't want to go read the regulation. Also to make things easier if you are assembling it yourself (instead of just ordering a complete rack from one of these sites, you should be able to order 3 OLC's attached together so you are not trying to get them all to lay just right on the ribbon when you poke them through.
While we are on the subject I might as well brag.
46171
I know the the rackbuilder site does not show it this way, but I believe you should put the V and 4 bronze oak leaf clusters all on one ribbon.
I know the the rackbuilder site does not show it this way, but I believe you should put the V and 4 bronze oak leaf clusters all on one ribbon.
I think there isn't enough room for all of that on the ribbon. I could be wrong, never myself had to put that many devices on one ribbon actually. I know the OLC's that come with 4 together are a little more compact than having to put 4 individual ones on there. That might allow enough room to get them all on there.
The graphics I posted are right from the EZ rackbuilder site when I tried to build a rack with 5 ARCOMS and a V device.
Sharpienads
06-18-2014, 17:24
While we are on the subject I might as well brag.
46171
That's cute. :D
Martinjmpr
06-20-2014, 10:07
While we are on the subject I might as well brag.
46171 Which one is for surfing? [Coffee]
Which one is for surfing? [Coffee]
The base I was at only had a Golf course. I was really roughing it when I got stationed at Buckley.
Martinjmpr
06-20-2014, 11:45
The base I was at only had a Golf course. I was really roughing it when I got stationed at Buckley. Hardship tour, huh? Bet you got sub-standard housing allowance, too! [LOL]
46171
Nice starter set...
I know the the rackbuilder site does not show it this way, but I believe you should put the V and 4 bronze oak leaf clusters all on one ribbon.
Max of four devices on a single ribbon. When you go over that you have to add another ribbon.
Max of four devices on a single ribbon. When you go over that you have to add another ribbon.
I am not aware of a reg/instruction stating "max of four devices," just max of four oak leaf clusters. The Rackbuilder website states that they " interpret" this to mean 4 devices.
I figure, if they all fit, great, if not, add a ribbon.
http://rackbuilder.armyawards.com/regs/my_rack_regulations/ribbon/army
A limit of four oak leaves can be worn on one ribbon.
No more than four oak leaf clusters can be worn side-by-side on service ribbons.
If the number of authorized oak leaf clusters exceeds four and will not fit on a single ribbon, a second ribbon is authorized for wear. When the second ribbon is worn, it is placed after the first ribbon; the second ribbon counts as one award.
Note: It has been argued that this regulation is merely a long explanation for use of a silver oak leaf, this is not our interpretation. This argument is strengthened by, "and will not fit on a single ribbon," in the previous regulation. Though all the other regulations seem to support the limit of four oak leaves.
Adding another award will likely remove the second ribbon.
If the receipt of future awards reduces the number of oak leaf clusters sufficiently (that is, a silver oak leaf for five awards), personnel will remove the second ribbon and place the appropriate number of devices on a single ribbon.
Wear only one V device per ribbon and it claims higher precedence than other devices.
Not more than one “V” device is worn on a ribbon. When worn with an oak leaf cluster or numerals, the “V” device is worn on the wearer’s right.
http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r600_8_22.pdf
Section II
Service Ribbon Accouterments
6–3. Oak Leaf Clusters
A bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem, 13/32-inch long for the suspension ribbon,
and 5/16-inch long for the service ribbon bar and the unit award emblem is issued to denote award of second and
succeeding awards of decorations (other than the Air Medal), the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and
unit awards. A silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn instead of five bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. If the number of authorized
Oak Leaf Clusters exceeds four, a second ribbon is authorized for wear. When wearing the second ribbon, place it after
the first ribbon; the second ribbon counts as one award. Wear no more than four Oak Leaf Clusters on each ribbon. If
the receipt of future awards reduces the number of Oak Leaf Clusters sufficiently (that is, a silver oak leaf cluster for
five awards), remove the second ribbon and place the appropriate number of devices on a single ribbon. Oak Leaf
Clusters are not issued for the Legion of Merit awarded in degrees to foreign nationals. Five-sixteenths inch Oak Leaf
Clusters joined together in series of 2, 3, and 4 clusters are authorized for optional purchase and wear on service
ribbons, and unit award emblems.
...
6–5. "V" device
The "V" device is a bronze block letter, V, 1/4-inch high with serifs at the top of the numbers. It is worn to denote
participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy. It was originally worn only on the suspension
and service ribbons of the Bronze Star Medal to denote an award made for heroism (valor). Effective 29 February
1964, the "V" device was also authorized for wear on the Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal for heroic acts or
valorous deeds not warranting awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross or the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.
Effective 25 June 1963, the "V" device was authorized additionally for wear on the Joint Service Commendation Medal
when the award is for acts of valor (heroism) during participation in combat operations. In the case of multiple "V"
devices for the same award, only one "V" device is worn on the service ribbons.
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