More Airmen eligible for Air Force Recognition Ribbon

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
  • Air Force Print News
More Airmen can wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon for winning service-level competitions and awards.

A recent change to an Air Force instruction allows members of small teams participating in events such as security forces' Defender Challenge, Air Mobility Command Rodeo or the William Tell competition at Air Combat Command to wear the decoration.

In the past, named individuals who received Air Force-level special trophies and awards listed in Air Force Instruction 36-2803 “The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program,” could wear the ribbon. The instruction expanded Dec. 6 to include individual members identified as part of a small team.

A small team is defined as below flight level. Examples include a team for a specific event, or an airlift or missile crew of the year, or a weapons load crew.

“These war-fighters have shown superior skills and abilities in Air Force-wide competitions, and deserve this recognition which says they and their team are the ‘best in the Air Force’,” said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley.

“War-fighters from all branches of the military benefit from these talented Airmen, regardless if it’s work being done (using) mobility expertise, or striking targets. We have the most professional, the most competent, and the most lethal Air Force ever. Incorporating these honed war-fighting skills, problem-solving methods, and understanding of tactics into operational war-fighting scenarios, competitions and composite force training pays huge dividends to the force as a whole … Recognizing their professionalism and excellence is most appropriate,” General Moseley said.

“This ribbon will be awarded to individuals and teams at competitions like AMC’s Rodeo, ACC’s Gunsmoke and William Tell. These are perfect opportunities to showcase America’s air and space power and to recognize the finest Airmen who have ever worn the uniform of the United States Air Force,” he said.

According to Maj. Dan Anderson, Air Force chief of recognition and commanders’ programs, the determining factor in eligibility is either individual achievement or achievement of a small team where the contribution of the member was integral to the success, as opposed to organizational groups where an individual contribution could vary widely.

Awards must be earned via a competitive process. Winners in private organization competitions must be nominated by the Air Force and have won in an Air Force-wide competition.

Although the official implementation date for policy change was Dec. 6, eligibility under the revised criteria is retroactive to the inception date of the ribbon.

The Air Force chief of staff authorized the Air Force Recognition Ribbon in 1980 for named individual Air Force recipients of special trophies and awards with the exception of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominees.

The complete instruction governing the ribbon, AFI 36-2805, “Special Trophies and Awards,” is being revised to reflect the recent change.