AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: The Cadet Awards and Decorations Program fosters morale, esprit de corps, and recognizes achievements of AFJROTC cadets. Awards sponsored by national organizations are funded by the sponsoring organization and donated through local chapters where available. Only Awards and Decorations approved by Holm Center/JR and listed in this guide may be worn. Units may not create local awards for wear on the uniform.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Gold Valor Award
Silver Valor Award
Cadet Humanitarian Award
Silver Star Community Service with Excellence Award
Community Service with Excellence Award

NATIONAL AWARDS:

Air Force Association Award
Daedalian Award
Daughters of the American Revolution Award
American Legion Scholastic Award
American Legion General Military Excellence Award
Military Officers Association Award
Veterans of Foreign Wars Award
National Society US Daughters of 1812
National Sojourners Award
Military Order of the Purple Heart Award
Sons of the American Revolution Award
Military Order of World Wars Award
American Veterans Award
Air Force Sergeants Association Award
Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated AFJROTC Cadet Award
Air Commando Association Award

AFJROTC AWARDS:

Distinguished Unit Award with Merit
Distinguished Unit Award
Outstanding Organization Award
Outstanding Flight Award
Top Performer Award
Outstanding Cadet Ribbon
Leadership Ribbon
Superior Performance Ribbon
Achievement Ribbon
Academic Ribbon
Cadet Leadership Course (CLC) Ribbon
Special Teams Placement Ribbon
All-Services National Competition Ribbon
Air Force Nationals Competition Ribbon
Orienteering Ribbon
Leadership Development Requirement (LDR) Leadership Ribbon
Drill Team Ribbon
Color Guard Ribbon
Good Conduct Ribbon
Service Ribbon
Health and Wellness Ribbon
Recruiting Ribbon
Activities Ribbon
Attendance Ribbon
Dress and Appearance Ribbon
Longevity Ribbon
Bataan Death March Memorial Hike Ribbon
Patriotic Flag Ribbon

DEVICES ON RIBBONS: Additional awards of ribbons will be indicated by the addition of clusters. Wear a maximum of four devices on each ribbon. Silver devices will be placed to the right of bronze devices. Replace the bronze device with a silver device after receipt of the fifth bronze device. Place clusters horizontally on ribbons and vertically on medals. Clusters will be tilted slightly downward to the right to allow maximum number of clusters and other devices. All will be tilted or none will be tilted. If all devices do not fit on a single ribbon wear a second ribbon. When future awards reduce devices to a single ribbon, remove the additional ribbon.

RIBBONS OF OTHER SERVICES: AFJROTC cadets are not authorized to wear ribbons/medals earned/issued from the United States Army, United States Navy, or United States Marine Corps AFJROTC programs unless they were previously enrolled in a sister service JROTC program. When authorized, AFJROTC cadets will wear AFJROTC ribbons above and to the left of other service JROTC ribbons or awards. Group ribbons according to service with the order of precedence determined by the regulations of each service. Other services’ ribbons are grouped by service in the following order: Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

UNAUTHORIZED BADGES AND INSIGNIA: Badges or insignia from Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, or any other non- AFJROTC group are not authorized on the AFJROTC uniform. Badges, ribbons or insignia from middle school programs such as Youth Leadership Corps are not authorized on the AFJROTC uniform.

AWARD DESCRIPTIONS AND CRITERIA

Several distinctive awards are authorized for the AFJROTC cadets to recognize outstanding performance in academics and leadership, of the specific display of valor. Medals, ribbons, badges, and certificates are awarded in accordance with AFROTC publications in the following categories:

VALOR AWARDS: Valor awards from all services are worn ahead of all other ribbons from any service. The AFJROTC Valor Awards will be worn first, with other services’ Valor Awards worn in the following order: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

GOLD VALOR AWARD: Awards consist of a medal, ribbon, and certificate. The Gold Valor Award recognizes the most outstanding voluntary acts of self‑sacrifice and personal bravery by a cadet involving conspicuous risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

SILVER VALOR AWARD: Awards consist of a medal, ribbon, and certificate. The Silver Valor Award is awarded to a cadet for a voluntary act of heroism, which does not meet the risk‑of‑life requirements of the Gold Valor Award.

CADET HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Award consists of a ribbon and certificate. It is intended to recognize cadets who provide aid in response to a singular extraordinary event such as a natural disaster or other catastrophe that has placed or has the potential to place a hardship on their fellow citizens. This award is not to be used to recognize day-to-day service in the community.

SILVER STAR COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH EXCELLENCE AWARD: Award consists of a ribbon with silver-star device and certificate. The Silver Star Community Service with Excellence Award will be an honor that emphasizes the value of community service, and establishes a greater sense of pride within the corps.

The award will be given to cadets in the Top 5% of units (approximately 45 units)who have the highest “per cadet average” community service hours.
“Countable” hours must be logged into WINGS and be accomplished IAW published guidance (AFJROTCI 36-2001, Part 7)
Countable hours will be the period from 11 April (previous year) to 10 Apr (current year). HQ will use the last PSR cadet enrollment and the hours submitted in WINGS for that period to calculate the Top 5% units and notify the units earning the Award.
Instructors at the Top 5% units will determine which of their cadets have contributed to the unit earning the new award.

COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH EXCELLENCE AWARD: Award consists of a ribbon and certificate. It is intended to recognize those individual cadets who provide significant leadership in the planning, organizing, directing, and executing of a major unit community service project that greatly benefit the local community. This is not an award given to participants but to the key leader(s) of the project.

NATIONAL AWARDS: Presented to cadets selected by a representative of the national organization giving the award or the SASI/ASI. Order of Precedence and normal award criteria are listed below. Cadets may only receive one National-level Award for each year they are in AFJROTC.

AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION (AFA) AWARD: This AFA-sponsored award consists of a medal and ribbon and is presented annually at each unit to the outstanding second-year (in a 3-year program) or third-year cadet (in a 4‑year program).

The award recipient must possess/meet the following personal characteristics and eligibility criteria:

Positive attitude (toward AFJROTC and school).
Outstanding personal appearance (uniform and grooming).
Display personal attributes such as initiative, judgment, and self-confidence.
Courteous demeanor (promptness, obedience, and respect for customs).

DAEDALIAN AWARD: The Order of Daedalians is a fraternity of commissioned pilots from all military services. It is named after the legendary figure, Daedalus, and was organized by WWI military pilots who sought to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, love of country, and the high ideals of self-sacrifice which place service to the nation above personal safety and position. This award is offered to encourage the development of these traits in cadets and to interest them in a military career. The medal is fashioned after an ancient Grecian plaque discovered by a Daedalian in the village of Lavadia, Greece and depicts Daedalus and his son Icarus fabricating their legendary wings of wax and feathers. The award also includes a ribbon.

This annual award recognizes one outstanding third-year cadet at each unit that meets the following criteria:

Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of patriotism, love of country, and service to the nation.
Indicate the potential and desire to pursue a military career.
Rank in the top 10% of their AFJROTC class.
Rank in the top 20% of their school class.

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (DAR) AWARD: This award consists of a bronze medal and ribbon and is presented annually to one third-year (in a 3-year program) or fourth- year cadet (in a 4-year program) that meets the following criteria:

Rank in the top 25% of their AFJROTC class.
Rank in the top 25% of their high school class.
Demonstrate qualities of dependability and good character.
Demonstrate adherence to military discipline.
Possess leadership ability and a fundamental and patriotic understanding of the importance of JROTC training.

AMERICAN LEGION SCHOLASTIC AWARD: This award consists of a bronze medal accompanied by a ribbon with a distinctive miniature attachment depicting a scholastic scroll.

This award is presented annually to one second- or third-year cadet (in a 3-year program) or a third- or fourth-year cadet (in a 4-year program) based on the cadet’s overall scholastic achievements. Each cadet must:

Rank in the top 10% of the high school class.
Rank in the top 25% of their AFJROTC class.
Demonstrate leadership qualities.
Actively participate in student activities

AMERICAN LEGION GENERAL MILITARY EXCELLENCE AWARD: This award consists of a bronze medal accompanied by a ribbon with a distinctive miniature attachment depicting a torch.

This award is presented annually to one second- or third-year cadet (in a 3-year program) or a third- or fourth-year cadet (in a 4-year program) based on the cadet’s general military excellence. Each cadet must:

Rank in the top 25% of their AFJROTC class.
Demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character, and citizenship.

MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (MOAA) AWARD: This award, formerly known as The Retired Officers Association Award, consists of a medal pendant with ribbon. This award is presented annually to an outstanding second-year cadet (third-year cadet in a 4-year program) who shows exceptional potential for military leadership. Each cadet must:

Be a member of the junior class.
Be in good academic standing.
Be of high moral character.
Show a high order of loyalty to the unit, school, and country.
Show exceptional potential for military leadership.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW) AWARD: This award consists of a medal pendant with ribbon. It is presented annually to an outstanding second- or third-year cadet in a 3-year program (third- or fourth-year cadet in a 4-year program) who is actively engaged in the AFJROTC program and who possesses individual characteristics contributing to leadership. Each cadet must:

Have a positive attitude toward AFJROTC.
Have outstanding military bearing and conduct.
Possess strong positive personal attributes (such as courtesy, dependability, punctuality, respect, and cooperation).
Demonstrate patriotism (being a member of the color guard or drill team) and actively promote Americanism.
Demonstrate leadership potential.
Attain a grade of “B” in AFJROTC with an overall average grade of “C” in all subjectsfor the previous semester.
Be active in student activities.
Not have been previous recipients of this award.

NATIONAL SOCIETY UNITED STATES DAUGHTERS OF 1812: A junior or senior in a JROTC program who has demonstrated qualities of academic excellence, leadership, military discipline, dependability, patriotism and upright character in speech and habits which exemplify the ideals upon which our nation was founded.

NATIONAL SOJOURNERS AWARD: This award consists of a ribbon, medal pendant, and certificate. It is presented annually, recognizing an outstanding first- or second-year cadet (second or third-year cadet in a 4-year program) who contributed the most to encourage and demonstrate Americanism within the corps of cadets and on campus. Each cadet must:

Be in the top 25% of their academic class.
Encourage and demonstrate ideals of Americanism.
Demonstrate potential for outstanding leadership.
Not have previously received the award.

MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART AWARD: This award consists of a medal pendant with a ribbon. It annually recognizes an outstanding second- or third-year cadet (third- or fourth-year cadet in a 4-year program) who is enrolled in the AFJROTC program and demonstrates leadership ability. Each cadet must:

Have a positive attitude toward AFJROTC and country.
Hold a leadership position in the cadet corps.
Be active in school and community affairs.
Attain a grade of “B” or better in all subjects for the previous semester.
Not have been a previous recipient of this award.

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (SAR) AWARD: This award consists of a bronze medal with ribbon. It recognizes an outstanding second-year cadet in a 3-year program or third-year cadet in a 4-year program who is enrolled in the AFJROTC program. The recipient must exhibit a high degree of leadership, military bearing, and all-around excellence in AS studies and not have previously received the award. Each cadet must:

Be currently enrolled in the AFJROTC program.
Be in the top 10% of their AFJROTC class.
Be in the top 25% of their overall class.
MILITARY ORDER OF WORLD WARS AWARD: This award consists of a bronze medal pendant, certificate, and ribbon. This award is presented annually to an outstanding cadet who has committed to continue the aerospace science program the following school year. Selection is based on outstanding accomplishments or service to the AFJROTC unit.

AMERICAN VETERANS (AMVETS) AWARD: This award consists of a medal pendant and ribbon and is presented annually to one qualified cadet that possesses individual characteristics contributing to leadership such as:

A positive attitude toward AFJROTC programs and service in the Air Force.
Personal appearance (wearing of the uniform, posture, and grooming).
Personal attributes (initiative, dependability, judgment, and self-confidence).
Officer potential (capacity for responsibility, adaptability, and maintenance of high personal standards).
Obtained a grade of “A” (or the numerical equivalent) in their AS class.
AIR FORCE SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION (AFSA) AWARD: This annual award consists of a medal pendant with a ribbon and recognizes an outstanding second- or third-year cadet in a three-year program (third- or fourth-year cadet in a 4-year program). The recipient must demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character, and citizenship. Each cadet must:

Be in the top 25% of the AFJROTC class.
Demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character, and citizenship.
Not have been a previous recipient of this award.

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN INCORPORATED (TAI) AIR FORCE JROTC CADET AWARD: This TAI sponsored award consists of a ribbon and a certificate. The award is presented annually to two cadets. Cadets may be first-year, second-year, or third-year cadets (in a 3- or 4-year program) and must meet the following criteria:

Attain a grade of “B” or better in their AS class.
Be in good academic standing.
Actively participate in cadet corps activities.
Participate in at least 50% of all unit service programs.

AIR COMMANDO ASSOCIATION AWARD: Awarded annually at the SASI’s discretion for completing a one page essay based on a historical AF Special Operations Mission possessing the thirteen critical attributes of success: integrity, self-motivation, intelligence, self-discipline, perseverance, adaptability, maturity, judgment, selflessness, leadership, skilled, physical fitness and family strength. This award consists of a ribbon and certificate.

DISTINGUISHED UNIT AWARD WITH MERIT (DUAM): Awarded to cadets enrolled during the same academic year in which 1) the unit receives a HQ AFJROTC evaluation with an overall rating of Exceeds Standards and 2) the unit is selected by HQ AFJROTC to receive the DUA. Both criteria must occur during the same academic year. The unit will receive a congratulatory letter and a certificate of recognition which will be posted in WINGS.

DISTINGUISHED UNIT AWARD (DUA): Awarded to cadets enrolled during the academic year when a unit is selected by HQ AFJROTC to receive the DUA. The unit will receive a congratulatory letter and a certificate of recognition which will be posted in WINGS.

OUTSTANDING ORGANIZATION AWARD: Awarded to cadets enrolled during the academic year when a unit is selected by HQ AFJROTC to receive the OOA. The unit will receive a congratulatory letter and a certificate of recognition which will be posted in WINGS. OOA recipients do not receive a streamer.

OUTSTANDING FLIGHT RIBBON: Awarded each academic term to members of the outstanding flight under criteria determined by the SASI.

TOP PERFORMER AWARD: The Cadet Top Performer Award is a Headquarters, AFJROTC award presented to a maximum of 2% of the current unit cadet corps population (unduplicated headcount). This award is only presented during a formal Staff Assistance Visit or Unit Evaluation conducted by HQ AFJROTC personnel. The award consists of a certificate and a ribbon, which is presented by the Region Director during the visit, unless personal observation of the cadet warrants otherwise. Once awarded, the ribbon may be worn for the duration of a cadet’s tenure in AFJROTC.

OUTSTANDING CADET RIBBON: Awarded annually at the SASI’s discretion to the outstanding first-year, second-year, third-year, and fourth-year cadet. The recipient from each class must be of high moral character, demonstrate positive personal attributes, display outstanding military potential, and attain academic and military excellence.

LEADERSHIP RIBBON: Awarded at the SASI’s discretion for outstanding performance in a position of leadership as an AFJROTC cadet in corps training activities. Ensure recognition of cadets who have consistently displayed outstanding leadership ability above and beyond expected performance.

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE RIBBON: Awarded annually at the SASI’s discretion for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of AFJROTC. Present the ribbon for a single or sustained performance of a superior nature. Ensure award is presented in recognition of achievements and services which are clearly outstanding and exceptional when compared to achievements and accomplishments of other cadets.

ACHIEVEMENT RIBBON: Awarded for a significant achievement as deemed appropriate by the SASI. Individuals may not receive more than one ribbon during a 1-year period.

ACADEMIC RIBBON: Awarded for academic excellence as signified by attaining an overall grade point average of at least “B” for one academic term, in addition to an “A” average in AFJROTC.

CADET LEADERSHIP COURSE (CLC) RIBBON: Awarded for completion of an approved leadership school program of at least 5 days duration. Leadership ribbon as well as the Bronze Star can be ordered through EMALL. For each additional Leadership School completion an additional bronze star will be awarded. Silver Star will be awarded for outstanding performance or leadership ability at a Leadership School instead of the Bronze Star. Limit the Silver Star to 10 percent of the class.

SPECIAL TEAMS COMPETITION RIBBON: Awarded to team members for placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Air Force or Joint Service Competition to include Color Guard Teams, Rifle Teams, Drill Teams, Saber Teams, Academic Bowl Teams, Cyber Patriot, etc.

ALL-SERVICES NATIONAL COMPETITION RIBBON: A medal/ribbon awarded to team members who competed at a Joint/All Service national-level competition to include Drill Teams, Color Guard Teams, Marksmanship Rifle Teams, Saber Teams, Academic Bowl Teams, CyberPatriot, StellarXplorers etc.

AIR FORCE NATIONALS COMPETITION AWARD: A medal/ribbon awarded to team members who competed at an Air Force only national-level competition to include Drill Teams, Color Guard Teams, Marksmanship Rifle Teams, Saber Teams, Academic Bowl Teams, CyberPatriot, StellarXplorers etc.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENT (LDR) RIBBON: A ribbon awarded at the SASI’s discretion for leadership in AFJROTC Leadership Development Requirement activities (such as but not limited to PT team commander, orienteering team commander, drill team commander, color guard team commander, dining-in chairperson, awards banquet/military ball chairperson, etc.).

DRILL TEAM RIBBON: Awarded for distinguished participation in at least 75 percent of all drill team competitions/events per academic school year. An oak leaf cluster should be added to this ribbon for each year of active membership beginning with the second year.

COLOR GUARD RIBBON: Awarded for distinguished participation in 10 color guard events per academic school year. An oak leaf cluster should be added to this ribbon for each year of active membership beginning with the second year.

GOOD CONDUCT RIBBON: Awarded to cadets who have not received a referral (this includes no ISS/OSS), no adverse reports from other staff or faculty during an academic semester. In addition, the cadet must exhibit overall good behavior in classes and based on the discretion of JROTC instructors.

SERVICE RIBBON: Awarded at the SASI’s discretion for distinctive performance in school, community, or AFJROTC service projects. Limit to members whose active participation in a service project contributed significantly to the goals of the organization. (NOTE: Participation in Drill Teams, Saber Teams or Color Guard Teams alone does not qualify for the Service Ribbon (see above criteria for these other ribbons) unless community service hours are also awarded.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS RIBBON: Awarded by the SASI for participation in the health and wellness physical fitness program. All cadets who participate in the unit’s wellness program will receive the Health and Wellness Ribbon. All cadets who score in the Physical Fitness Test’s 75-84 percentiles will receive a Bronze Star device; 85-95 percentile they will receive a Silver Star device; and 96-100 percent they will receive a Gold Star device. Duplicate awards of the Bronze, Silver or Gold percentile will be denoted by the addition of another star on the ribbon. Should a cadet score in a higher percentile, only the star representing higher percentile will be worn. In no case will a cadet mix different color stars on the same ribbon. (NOTE: The Physical Fitness Test percentiles are computed automatically under the PFT-Mass Assessment in WINGS.)

RECRUITING RIBBON: Awarded for outstanding effort in support of unit recruiting activities. This is awarded to cadets who have participated and supported unit recruiting activities or have personally recruited 3 new members to sign up and join the JROTC program.

ACTIVITIES RIBBON: Awarded for participation in Leadership Development Requirement activities other than those that qualify for the Color Guard, Drill Team, and Special Teams Competition ribbons. These include, but are not limited to orienteering teams, model rocketry clubs, AFJROTC academic teams, and AFJROTC sports teams. An oak leaf cluster should be added to this ribbon for each year of membership beginning with the second year.

ATTENDANCE RIBBON: Awarded to cadets who have no more than three excused absences (no unexcused) from AFJROTC classes during an entire school year.

DRESS AND APPEARANCE RIBBON: Awarded not only for wearing uniform on all designated uniform days, but also wearing the uniform in a professional manner each week, adhering to all grooming standards each week, and acting professional while in uniform.

LONGEVITY RIBBON: Awarded for completion of each AS year.

BATAAN DEATH MARCH MEMORIAL HIKE RIBBON: To honor and remember the sacrifices of the victims and survivors of World War II’s Bataan Death March, AFJROTC units may conduct an optional 14-mile Bataan Death March Memorial Hike. This event must be accomplished on a locally-determined 14 mile course (trails, road courses, tracks, etc). Units may complete the full hike in a span of one to no more than three days. Cadet safety must be monitored at all times and advanced planning for any first aid/medical attention is paramount. Cadets who fully complete the 14 mile hike are authorized to wear the ribbon.

PATRIOTIC FLAG RIBBON: May be awarded for participation in non-color guard events specifically designed to honor our nation’s flag. Such events include flag raising ceremonies, flag retirement ceremonies, flag folding ceremonies, and historical flag demonstrations. SASIs may award this ribbon based on local criteria which must be clearly published in the unit’s Cadet Guide or Unit Operating Instruction.

CERTIFICATES:

There are two types of certificates that may be awarded to AFJROTC cadets; the “CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION” and the “CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING”. Information concerning each certificate is provided below to enable cadets who qualify for minimum enrollment to assess the value of each certificate.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION: Presented to cadets of good standing who have completed all four years of the AFJROTC program. Cadets who have this certificate in their possession when they enroll in a senior ROTC program or upon enlistment in the Armed Forces of the United States may gain benefits offered by successful completion of the AFJROTC program.

CERTIFICATE OF TRAINING: Presented to cadets of good standing who have completed two successful years of the AFJROTC Program. These certificates are not awarded automatically based upon academic grades. Consideration is given to the total performance and achievement as a member of the unit. It is possible to complete the AFJROTC course for academic credit and not be considered to have met the “Whole Person Concept” requirements for the award of a certificate. The SASI will make the final determination.