Awards and decorations of the state defense forces are presented to members of the state defense forces in addition to regular United States military decorations and state National Guard military decorations. Each of the state governments of the United States maintains a series of decorations for issuance to members of the state defense forces, with such awards presented under the authority of the various state adjutants general and/or respective state defense force commanders.
In most states, state defense force members may wear any regular United States military decorations and United States National Guard decorations that they may have earned while members of the National Guard and/or while in federal active duty service. The members of some state defense force may also be awarded state National Guard military decorations in addition to state defense force awards while serving in a state defense force capacity. The order of precedence for the wear of the awards are: federal, state National Guard, then state defense force. Those state defense force members who subsequently serve in the active or reserve federal forces of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or United States Air Force (i.e., on active duty or as members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Reserves) may not continue to wear and display such decorations on a military uniform. Regulations of these federal forces allow their members to accept but not wear state National Guard awards.
The following is a list of state defense force decorations, as issued by each of the states and territories of the United States.
Alabama[]
Alabama State Defense Force (ASDF) Awards:
ASDF Alabama War Ribbon
ASDF Distinguished Service Ribbon
ASDF Meritorious Service Ribbon
ASDF Commendation Ribbon- ASDF Achievement Ribbon (Officer)
- ASDF Achievement Ribbon (Enlisted)
- ASDF Merit Ribbon
- ASDF Desert Shield/Storm Support Ribbon
- ASDF Disaster Readiness Ribbon
- SGT Dixie Club-Gold Ribbon
- SGT Dixie Club-Silver Ribbon
- SGT Dixie Club-Bronze Ribbon
- ASDF Service Ribbon
- ASDF Distinguished Graduate Ribbon
- ASDF Professional Development Ribbon
- ASDF Officer Training Ribbon
- ASDF Warrant Officer Training Ribbon
- ASDF NCO Training Ribbon
- ASDF C.E.R.T. Ribbon
- ASDF Recruiting Ribbon
- ASDF Super Recruiter Recruiting Ribbon
- ASDF Association Member Ribbon
- ASDF SGAUS Ribbon
- ASDF Outstanding Unit Comm. Ribbon
- SGAUS Superior Unit Citation
- MEMS Academy Unit Citation
Alaska[]
Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) Awards and Decorations <Ref: ASDF Pam 672-1 dated 15 March 1992>
- Alaska Legion of Merit
- Alaska Air Medal
- Alaska Humanitarian Service Medal
- Alaska State Service Medal
- Alaska Community Service Medal
- Alaska Cold War Service Ribbon
- Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon
- Alaska Marksmanship Medal
- Alaska State Defense Force Commendation Medal
- Alaska State Defense Force State Activation Medal
- Alaska State Defense Force Achievement Medal
- Alaska State Defense Force Service Medal
- Alaska State Defense Force Drill Attendance Ribbon
- Alaska State Defense Force Training Achievement Ribbon
- State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Membership Ribbon
California[]
California State Military Reserve (CA SMR) Awards:[2]
- CA SMR Military History Medal
- CA SMR Training Excellence Ribbon
- CA SMR Enlisted Excellence Ribbon
- CA SMR Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
- CA SMR Professional Development Ribbon
- CA SMR Mission Qualification Ribbon
- CA SMR Emergency Training Ribbon
- CA SMR Outstanding Services Ribbon
- CA SMR Volunteer Service Ribbon
- CA SMR Drill Attendance Ribbon
- CA SMR Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation
Georgia[]
Georgia State Defense Force (GaSDF) Awards & Decorations:[3]
- GaSDF Medal of Valor
- GaSDF Legion of Merit (Medal)
- GaSDF Medal of Merit
- GaSDF Distinguished Service Medal
- GaSDF Commendation Medal
- GaSDF Commendation Ribbon
- GaSDF Enlisted Member of the Year
- GaSDF Achievement Ribbon (Class 1, 2 & 3)
- GaSDF Unit Commander's Citation w/Gold Frame
- GaSDF Military Qualification Training Ribbon
- GaSDF Military Proficiency Ribbon
- GaSDF State Active Duty Ribbon
- GaSDF Emergency Services School Ribbon
- GaSDF Military Readiness Ribbon
- GaSDF Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
- GaSDF Volunteer Service Ribbon
- GaSDF Good Conduct Ribbon
- GaSDF Longevity Service Ribbon
- GaSDF Military Indoctrination Ribbon
- GaSDF Outstanding Unit Citation Ribbon W/Gold Frame
Indiana[]
Indiana Guard Reserve Awards:[4]
- Indiana Distinguished Service Cross (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
- Indiana Distinguished Service Medal (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
- Indiana Commendation Medal (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
- INGR Merit Medal
- INGR Distinguished Service Ribbon
- INGR Commendation Ribbon
- INGR Achievement Ribbon
- INGR JROTC Commendation Ribbon
- INGR Outstanding Recruiter Ribbon
- INGR JROTC Support Ribbon
- INGR Community Service Ribbon
- INGR Officer Professional Development Ribbon
- INGR NCO Professional Development Ribbon
- INGR 25 Year Service Ribbon
- INGR Long Service Ribbon
- INGR Service Ribbon
- INGR Defense Service Ribbon
- INGR The Indiana Guard Reserve Association Ribbon
- INGR Superior Unit Citation
- INGR Medallion
Maryland[]
Maryland State Defense Force (MDDF) Awards & Decorations:[5][6]
- The State Of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross for Valor
- The State Of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross
- State of Maryland Meritorious Service Medal
- State Of Maryland Commendation Medal
- The Maryland Meritorious Civilian Service Medal
- Maryland National Guard Outstanding Unit Ribbon
- The Adjutant General’s Special Recognition Ribbon
- Maryland Military Department Emergency Service Medal
- The Maryland National Guard Recruiting Medal
- The Maryland Military Department Overseas Service Ribbon
- State Of Maryland State Service Medal
- The Maryland Defense Force Meritorious Service Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Commendation Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Humanitarian Service Medal
- The Maryland Defense Force Honorable Service Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Achievement Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Aid To Civil Authority Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Community Service Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Community Emergency Response Team Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Professional Development Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Initial Entry Training Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Recruiting Ribbon
- The Maryland Defense Force Physical Fitness Ribbon
- Maryland State Guard Association MDDF Soldier of the Year Ribbon
- Maryland State Guard Association Militia Medal w/Bronze Star
Massachusetts[]
- Mass Defense Service Ribbon
- Mass Defense Expeditionary Medal
Minnesota[]
- Minnesota Distinguished Service Medal
- Minnesota Medal for Valor
- Minnesota Medal for Merit
- Minnesota Commendation Medal
- Minnesota Good Conduct Ribbon
- Minnesota State Active Duty Ribbon
- Minnesota Distinguished Recruiting Ribbon
- Minnesota Service Ribbon
Mississippi[]
Mississippi State Guard(MSSG) Individual Awards:
- File:MSSGDSR.JPG MSSG Distinguished Service Ribbon
- File:MSSGMSR.JPG MSSG Meritorious Service Ribbon
- File:MSSGCR2.JPG MSSG Commendation Ribbon
- File:MSSGAR.JPG MSSG Achievement Ribbon
- File:MSSGAM.JPG MSSG Award of Merit
- File:MSSGLSR.JPG MSSG Longevity Service Ribbon
- File:MSSGODS-ODSSR.JPG MSSG Operation Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon
- File:MSSGRR.JPG MSSG Recruitment Ribbon
- File:MSSGTR1.JPG MSSG Training Ribbon
- File:MSSGAMR.JPG MSSG Association Membership Ribbon
Mississippi State Guard Unit Awards:
- File:MSSGOUC.JPG MSSG Outstanding Unit Citation
New Mexico[]
New Mexico State Guard (NMSG) Awards:
- New Mexico State Guard Cold War Medal
- New Mexico State Guard Emergency Service Ribbon
- New Mexico State Guard Commendation Medal
- New Mexico State Guard Achievement Medal
- New Mexico State Guard Service Ribbon
- New Mexico State Guard Professional Development Ribbon
- New Mexico State Guard Superior Unit Award
- NMSG Unit Citation
New York[]
New York Guard (NYG) Awards:[7]
- NYG Meritorious Service Medal
- NYG Commendation Medal
- NYG Commander's Citation
- NYG Achievement Medal
- NYG Good Conduct Medal
- NYG Operations Support Medal
- NYG Service Ribbon
- NYG Distinguished Graduate Ribbon
- NYG First Provisional Regiment Medal
In addition, certain New York State decorations may be awarded to New York Guard members, as well as to members of other state military components, i.e., NY Army National Guard, NY Air National Guard and NY Naval Militia. These include:[7]
- NYS Medal of Valor
- NYS Conspicuous Service Medal
- NYS Meritorious Service Medal
- NYS Military Commendation Medal
- NYS Long and Faithful Service Medal
- NYS Defense of Liberty Medal
- Recruiting Medal
- New York Aid to Civil Authority Medal
- New York Counterdrug Service Ribbon
- Humane Service to NYS Medal
- NYS Physical Fitness Ribbon
Ohio[]
Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR) Awards:
- OHMR Medal of Valor - The first recipient of this medal was LTC Mitchell E. Fadem, HAZMAT Officer for the 5th MP BDE, OHMR, in 1993 when he risked his life to monitor toxic vapor clouds inside the blast area after a chemical plant exploded in Elyria, Ohio. His efforts made it possible for the safe evacuation of 6,000 people. Fadem is now a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force and served in Afghanistan in 2007 with the Combined Security Transition Command and in 2010 at the Headquarters of the International Security Assistance Forces in Kabul as a toxicologist and senior health care LNO with the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Mines. In December 2010, Fadem was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroism[citation needed] and meritorious service during his deployment to Afghanistan.
- OHMR Distinguished Service Medal
- OHMR Medal of Merit
- OHMR Purple Cross Medal
- OHMR Lifesaving Medal
- OHMR Commendation Award
- OHMR Achievement Award
- OHMR Search and Rescue Award
- OHMR Community Service Award
- OHMR Aid to Civil Authority Award
- OHMR Good Conduct Award
- OHMR Longevity Service Award
- OHMR Soldier of the Year Award
- OHMR Honor Graduate Award
- OHMR Officer Training Graduate Award
- OHMR NCO Training Graduate Award
- OHMR Basic Entry Level Training Graduate Award
- OHMR Physical Fitness Award
- OHMR Federal Service School Award
- OHMR Military Indoctrination Award
- OHMR Emergency Service Training Award
- OHMR Volunteer Service Award
- OHMR Military Award Readiness
- OHMR Recruiting Achievement Award
- OHMR Military Proficiency Award
- OHMR Outstanding Unit Citation Award
- OHMR Commanding General's Meritorious Unit Service Award
South Carolina[]
South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) Awards:[8]
- South Carolina Medal of Valor
- SCSG Distinguished Service Medal
- SCSG Medal of Merit
- SCSG Meritorious Service Medal
- SCSG Commendation Medal
- SCSG Home Defense Achievement Ribbon
- SCSG Individual Achievement Ribbon
- SCSG Good Conduct Ribbon
- SCSG Longevity Service Medal
- SCSG Golden Anniversary Ribbon
- SCSG Federal Service School Ribbon
- SCSG Humanitarian Service Ribbon
- SCSG Service Ribbon
- SCSG Emergency Service Training Ribbon
- SCSG Volunteer Service Ribbon
- SCSG Honors Detail Service Ribbon
- SCSG Military Readiness Ribbon
- SCSG Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
- SCSG Military Proficiency Ribbon
- South Carolina Governor's Unit Citation
- SCSG Outstanding Unit Citation
- SCSG Unit Achievement Award
Tennessee[]
Tennessee State Guard (TNSG) Individual Awards:
- TNSG Valor Ribbon
- TNSG Alvin C. York Ribbon
- TNSG Distinguished Service Ribbon
- TNSG Meritorious Service Ribbon
- TNSG Com. Gen. Letter of Commendation Ribbon
- TNSG Commendation Ribbon
- TNSG Wound Ribbon
- TNSG Life Saving Ribbon
- TNSG Officer Achievement Ribbon
- TNSG Enlisted Achievement Ribbon
- TNSG TN Defense Service Ribbon
- TNSG Search & Rescue Ribbon
- TNSG Aid to Civil Authority Ribbon
- TNSG Operation Desert Storm/Shield Ribbon
- TNSG Operation Enduring Freedom Ribbon
- TNSG Operation Task Force Volunteer Ribbon
- TNSG Community Volunteer Service Ribbon
- TNSG Soldier of the Year Ribbon
- TNSG Good Conduct Ribbon
- TNSG Officer Training
- TNSG NCO Training Ribbon
- TNSG Basic Entry Level Training
- TNSG Chaplain's Ribbon
- TNSG Volunteer Service Ribbon
- TNSG Recruitment Achievement Ribbon
- TNSG Recruiter's Ribbon
- TNSG Military Readiness Ribbon
- TNSG Service Ribbon
Texas[]
Texas National Guard Awards [10] (Awardable to Texas State Guard members:)
- Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
- Texas Medal of Valor
- Texas Purple Heart
- Texas Superior Service Medal
- Texas Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal
- Texas Outstanding Service Medal
- Texas Medal of Merit (also awarded with "V" for valor)
- Texas Adjutant General's Individual Award
- Texas Humanitarian Service Medal
- Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal
- Texas Faithful Service Medal
Texas State Guard (TXSG) Awards:
- Texas State Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon
- Texas State Guard Commanding General’s Individual Award Ribbon
- Texas State Guard Recruiting Ribbon
- Texas State Guard Officer Professional Development Ribbon
- Texas State Guard NCO Professional Development Ribbon
- Texas State Guard Enlisted Personnel Basic Training Ribbon
- Texas State Guard Physical Fitness Ribbon
- Texas State Guard 3 Year Service Medal
Texas State Guard Unit Awards:
- Texas Governor's Unit Citation
- Texas State Guard Meritorious Unit Award
- Texas State Guard Organizational Excellence Award
Virginia[]
- Virginia Army National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon
- Life Saving Medal
- Distinguished Service Ribbon
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Commendation Medal
- Military Commendation Certificate Ribbon
- File:Active Service Medal V5213.JPG Active Service Medal
- VADF Service Medal
- File:Community Service V5311.JPG Community Service Ribbon
- File:Service Medal.JPG Service Medal
- Response Management Staff College Completion Ribbon
- File:Basci Officer Qualification Course Completion (replaced by ALC).JPG Basic Officer Qualification Course Completion Ribbon (Replaced by ALC Ribbon)
- File:Operationa Staff-Command, Control and Communications Course V3100.JPG Operational Staff-Command, Control & Communications Course Ribbon
- Advance Leaders Course Completion Ribbon
- File:Company Leaders Course Completion V4022.JPG Company Leaders Course Completion Ribbon
- Recruiting Ribbon
- State Guard Association of the United States Longevity Ribbon
- State Guard Association of the United States Membership Ribbon
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External links[]
References[]
- ↑ Bush, Eric. "Alabama State Defense Force Awards & Ribbons". http://www.frontiernet.net/~ericbush/US/NG/Alsdf.gif. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
- ↑ http://www.calguard.ca.gov/oc/casmr/awards.htm
- ↑ Georgia State Defense Force Regulation No. 672-1 http://www.gasdf.com/regs/GSDFR_672-1_Awards.pdf
- ↑ Indiana Guard Reserve - Hoosiers serving Hoosiers
- ↑ Maryland Military Department, MDMILDEP 672-1, Maryland Military Department Awards and Decorations, dated 15 August 2010
- ↑ Maryland Defense Force Directive 10004, dated 10 March 2013
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 New York Guard Decorations and Awards
- ↑ http://www.scsg.org/awards.htm
- ↑ "TNSG Command Operational Policy 672-5". http://www.3dregt2dmpbn.org/Regs/Operations/TNSGOP%20672-5%20Awards.pdf.
- ↑ Texas State Guard (TXSG) > Awards, Medals, and Ribbons
The original article can be found at Awards and decorations of the State Defense Forces and the edit history here.