Awards & Recognition
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps recognizes cadets who demonstrate dedication, leadership, skill, and outstanding performance through a variety of ribbons, medals, badges, and other awards. These honors celebrate achievements in areas such as training, physical fitness, marksmanship, community service, academic excellence, and leadership.
While awards are a proud symbol of accomplishment, they are earned through commitment, perseverance, and living the Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Every ribbon tells a story of personal growth and dedication to the Corps.
Many awards may be earned multiple times or enhanced with authorized devices to recognize continued achievement and sustained excellence.
Ribbon Categories and Examples
USNSCC ribbons are grouped by type and earned through specific requirements. Key categories include:
- Honor Ribbon – Awarded for saving a human life at the risk of one’s own.
- Distinguished Service Ribbon – For extraordinary heroism (not meeting Honor Ribbon criteria) or sustained national-level service in a responsible role.
- Meritorious Recognition Ribbon – For significant humanitarian action or accomplishments warranting higher recognition than Commendation Ribbon.
- Commendation Ribbon – For meritorious service or achievement.
- Citation Ribbon – For notable accomplishments or service.
- Escort Officer Ribbon – For service as an Escort Officer.
- Youth Medals/Ribbons – e.g., Navy League of the U.S. Youth Medal, DAR Outstanding Cadet Medal, SAR Good Citizenship Medal.
- Service Ribbons – e.g., Community Service, International Exchange Program, Academic Achievement, Drug Reduction Service, ONR Science Achievement, Recruiting Incentive.
- Special Recognition Ribbons – e.g., Physical Fitness, Marksmanship, Color Guard, Prior Service.
- Ceremonial/Anniversary Ribbons – e.g., 25th/50th Anniversary, 25th Year Commissioned, USCG Bicentennial Unit Commendation.
Medal and Device System
- Medals are worn on formal or ceremonial uniforms and often accompany higher-level ribbons.
- Appurtenances (devices) denote subsequent awards of the same type, excellence, or special designations.
- The Chairman’s Medal is the highest award, followed by the Sea Cadet Honor Ribbon, then other service and achievement ribbons.
Order of Precedence
According to the Sea Cadet Ribbon Order of Precedence, the top awards are:
- Chairman’s Medal
- Sea Cadet Honor Ribbon
- Sea Cadets Distinguished Service Ribbon
- NSCC/NLCC Distinguished Service Ribbon
- Meritorious Recognition Ribbon
- Commendation Ribbon
- Citation Ribbon
- Escort Officer Ribbon
- NLUS Youth Award Ribbon
- DAR Junior Award
- SAR Good Citizenship Award
- VFW Ribbon
- Community Service Ribbon
- International Exchange Program Ribbon
- Academic Achievement Ribbon
- Drug Reduction Service Ribbon
- ONR Science Achievement Ribbon
- Recruiting Incentive Ribbon
- Unit Commendation Ribbon
- Physical Fitness Ribbon
- NSCC Staff Cadet Ribbon
- Color Guard Ribbon
- Prior Service Ribbon
- Marksman Ribbon
- International Naval Review Ribbon
- 25th/50th Anniversary Ribbon
- 25th/50th Year Commissioned Ribbon
- USCG Bicentennial Unit Commendation Ribbon
- Fifth Year Ribbon
- Fourth Year Ribbon
- Third Year Ribbon
- Second Year Ribbon
- First Year Ribbon