NJROTC RIBBONS

All program ribbons shown below are in correct order of wear.
To determine your proper ribbon precedence, use the ribbon checker.

  1. Meritorious Achievement - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any NJROTC cadet who distinguishes him/herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or performance of a meritorious act. Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the Area Manager.

  2. Distinguished Unit - Awarded YEARLY to cadets who were unit members during the academic year in which the school earned the Distinguished Unit status. Awarded to only 30 percent of the total number of NJROTC units in the program.

  3. Distinguished Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to one cadet in each year group with the highest combined average for overall scholastic standing and aptitude in NJROTC unit activities (includes academics, homework, physical fitness, community service, drill, etc.)

  4. Honor Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to one cadet in each year group with the highest overall academic achievement (GPA) in school, including naval science.

  5. Cadet Achievement - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who distinguishes him/herself by outstanding achievement or sustained superior performance. The cadet must exhibit exceptional military aptitude and dedication to the program as well as overall excellence in all facets of NJROTC. Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the Area Manager.

  6. Unit Achievement - Awarded YEARLY to cadets in good standing who were unit members during the academic year which the school earned the Unit Achievement status as determined by the Area Manager. Awarded only to those units that demonstarted exceptional performance, but did not qualify for Distinguished Unit status.

  7. Aptitude - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets who demonstrate an exceptional military aptitude and dedication to the NJROTC program.

  8. NS IV Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 4 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

  9. NS III Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 3 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

  10. NS II Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 2 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

  11. NS I Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 1 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.

  12. Exemplary Conduct - Awarded YEARLY to each cadet who demonstrates exemplary conduct for the school year.

  13. Academic Award - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each cadet who has met any of the following academic award criteria:
    A. HONOR ROLL - Awarded ONCE ANNUALLY upon completion of the minimum requirement, to any cadet who attains school honor roll status equal to 50% or more of the academic year. The first award is the ribbon with a bronze lamp. Subsequent awards are as follows: 2nd award - Silver Lamp, 3rd award - Gold lamp, 4th award - Gold anchor.
    B. Academic Team - Awarded ONCE ANNUALLY upon completion of the minimum requirement, to any cadet who is a member in good standing of the Academic Team and has participated in three or more academic competitions. The firstaward is the ribbon. Subsequent awards are as follows: 2nd award - Bronze star, 3rd award - Silver staqr, 4th award - Gold star.

    When both the academic team and honor roll awards have been earned, the torch and lamp are positioned side-by-side on the ribbon, with the lamp on the wearer's right. Subsequent award stars for the academic team are worn outboard of the gold torch.
    C. Academic Team Captain - The cadet chosen for this honor wears the Academic Award ribbon on the right side of the uniform with a gold anchor centered on the ribbon. Note: No other devices will accompany the gold anchor for the 4th honor roll award. In this case, both anchors can remain on the ribbon when moved to the wearer's right.

    NOTE: When becoming captain of more than one team, the ribbon with the highest precedence is worn inboard, to the wearer's left.

    NOTE: When wearing the ribbon of a team captain on the right side of the uniform, a similar ribbon without the team captain gold anchor cannot be worn in its normal position on the left side of the uniform.

  14. Exemplary Personal Appearance - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each cadet who displays exemplary personal appearance and has worn his/her uniform on all occasions required.

  15. Physical Fitness - Awarded TWICE A YEAR to any cadet who meets or exceeds the basic physical fitness requirements as outlined in Chapter 13 on pages 13-10/11 of the Cadet Field Manual.

  16. Participation - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who has participated in three events other than routine unit activities.

  17. Unit Service - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to the unit as determined by the SNSI.

  18. Community Service - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who distinguishes him/herself by dedicated and outstanding service to the community.

  19. Drill Team - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each member of a drill team in good standing who has entered competition, or performed at three or more official functions.

  20. Color Guard - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each member of a color guard in good standing who has entered competition or performed at three or more official functions.

  21. Pistol/Rifle Team - Awarded WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any competition.

  22. Orienteering - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any organized orienteering competition, or who meets the orienteering qualification standards outlined on pages 9-18/19 of the Cadet Field Manual.

  23. Recruiting - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to a cadet who is instrumental in the enrollment of two students in the NJROTC program. Subsequent awards are given for each additional two students enrolled.

  24. Basic Leadership Academy - Awarded to any cadet upon satisfactory completion of basic leadership academy, Leadership Academy (Newport) or similar training as approved by the Area Manager.

  25. Sea Cruise - Awarded to any cadet upon completion of an at-sea cruise (vessel must cast off lines and be underway)


USEFUL LINKS

The official NSTC webpage showing each NJROTC ribbon and describing them.

An interactive website that allows you to "build" your ribbon rack by selecting the ribbons you currently rate.

This picture shows all the NJROTC ribbons as an image. It can be downloaded and printed.