Examples of Devices & Placement
Coast Guard regulations: “Up to five devices can be worn on a ribbon at one time. In situations where more than five devices are authorized on a ribbon, wear the five most senior devices, in order: Valor Device, Operational Distinguishing Device, silver star device, and gold star device.
“For example, an individual earning the tenth award of a ribbon upon which he or she is authorized an Operational Distinguishing Device would continue to wear the ribbon with the Operational Distinguishing Device, one silver star, and three gold stars until an eleventh award is earned.”
| With Letter | Awards | Without Letter |
|---|---|---|
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1st | |
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2nd | |
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3rd | |
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4th | |
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5th | |
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6th | |
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7th | |
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8th | |
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9th | |
| ↑ Wear 9th ↑ | 10th* | |
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11th | |
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12th | |
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13th | |
| ↑ Wear 13th ↑ | 14th* | |
| ↑ Wear 13th ↑ | 15th* | ↑ Wear 14th ↑ |
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16th | |
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17th | |
| ↑ Wear 17th ↑ | 18th* | |
| ↑ Wear 17th ↑ | 19th* | ↑ Wear 18th ↑ |
| ↑ Wear 17th ↑ | 20th* | ↑ Wear 18th ↑ |
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21st | |
| ↑ Wear 21st ↑ For 22 or more |
22nd* | |
| 23 to 25* | ↑ Wear 22nd ↑ For 23 to 25 |
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| 26th* | |
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| 27+* | ↑ Wear 26th ↑ for 27 or more |
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| ↑ Hover over a star to see its color. ↑
*When more than five devices are needed, wear the five most senior devices, in order: Valor Device (not applicable to Auxiliary ribbons), Operational Distinguishing Device, silver star device, and gold star device. See note in blue box above. |
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Authorized devices for Auxiliary and other ribbons Other devices may be authorized for non-Auxiliary ribbons earned in prior federal service. Numeric “V” and “X” devices are not to be worn on Auxiliary ribbons, |
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| Gold and silver stars for subsequent awards: 5⁄16" (for personal decorations and discontinued AMOS awards). 3⁄16" (for most other ribbons), as arranged above. 1 silver star = 5 gold stars. |
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 = Denotes performance in public education service area. Worn centered on ribbon. Denotes QE designation. |
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 = Denotes marine safety and environmental protection activity (75 or more hours). Worn centered on ribbon. |
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 = Denotes support activities not involving the movement of a facility (Auxiliary Operations Service Award) denotes performance in member recruiting support. Worn centered on ribbon |
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| = Operational distinguishing device. Denotes performance in operations service area, “Direct Hands-On” underway, surface mission activity (60 or more hours); or for Direct Hands-On underway, aviation mission activity (30 or more hours). Worn centered on ribbon. |
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 = Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. For traditionally Army services. |
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 = Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. For traditionally Army services. |
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 = Hurricane Device. |
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 = Bronze, silver or gold hourglass. |
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   = Bronze, silver or gold Antarctica devices |
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