Distinguished Unit Award with Merit

Awarded to cadets enrolled during the same academic year in which 1) the unit receives a HQ AFJROTC evaluation with an overall rating of Exceeds Standards and 2) the unit is selected by HQ AFJROTC to receive the Distinguished Unit Award (see below).

Distinguished Unit Award

Awarded by HQ AFJROTC based on criteria published by the Director at the beginning of each academic year. Generally, units must meet all HQ suspenses and accomplish an average of 12 hours of community service per cadet.

Outstanding Flight Ribbon

Awarded annually to the most outstanding flight. Flights are evaluated on academic achievement, uniform wear, physical fitness participation and community service.

Outstanding Cadet Ribbon

Awarded annually to the outstanding first-year, second-year, third-year and fourth-year cadet. The recipient from each class must be of high moral character, demonstrate positive personal attributes, display outstanding military potential, and attain academic and military excellence.

Leadership Ribbon

Awarded for outstanding performance in a position of leadership as an AFJROTC cadet in corps training activities. Cadets must have consistently displayed outstanding leadership ability above and beyond expected performance.

Superior Performance Ribbon

Awarded annually at the SASI’s discretion for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of AFJROTC. It may be awarded for a single act or sustained performance of a superior nature.

Achievement Ribbon

Awarded for a significant achievement in AFJROTC or other school activities/events as deemed appropriate by the SASI. Individuals may only receive this award once each school year.

Academic Ribbon

Awarded at the end of each semester for academic excellence by attaining an “A” (90) in AFJROTC, an overall grade point average of at least a “B” (3.0), and no failing grades (below 60).

Cadet Leadership Course Ribbon

Awarded for completion of an approved leadership school program.

Special Teams Placement Ribbon

Awarded to members of a special team (Color Guard, Drill Team, PT Team, Academic Bowl, Cyber Patriot, etc.) for placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Air Force or Joint Service Competition.

All-Service National Competition Award

Awarded to team members who competed at a Joint/All Service national-level competition to include Drill Teams, Color Guard Teams, Marksmanship Rifle Teams, Saber Teams, Academic Bowl Teams, Cyber Patriot, StellarXplorers etc.

Air Force Nationals Competition Award

Awarded to team members who competed at an Air Force only national-level competition to include Drill Teams, Color Guard Teams, Marksmanship Rifle Teams, Saber Teams, Academic Bowl Teams, Cyber Patriot, StellarXplorers etc.

Orienteering Ribbon

Awarded to team members for completing a unit-specific Orienteering program as part of unit curriculum.

Leadership Development Requirement (LDR) Leadership Ribbon

Awarded for leadership in AFJROTC LDR activities (color guard commander, military ball chairperson, etc.) The recipient must have demonstrated exceptional leadership in achieving objectives through the coordinated efforts of others. Only cadets designated as leaders of projects are eligible for this award. Assistants cannot receive the award.

Drill Team Ribbon

Awarded annually to members of the drill team. Cadets must be on the drill team for an entire year/drill season to be eligible and must have participated in at least three drill performances (competitions, special school events, community demonstrations, etc).

Color Guard Ribbon

Awarded for distinguished participation in at least five Color Guard events. The events may extend over more than one academic year. An oak leaf cluster may be added to this ribbon for each additional five qualifying events.

Saber Team Ribbon

Awarded for distinguished participation in three saber team events. The events may extend over more than one academic year. An oak leaf cluster may be added to this ribbon for each additional three qualifying events.

Joint Leadership Academic Bowl (JLAB) Ribbon

Awarded annually to members of the JLAB team. Both primary and alternate members are eligible.

Raiders Team Ribbon

Awarded annually to members of the Raiders team. Cadets must be on the team for an entire year/competition season to be eligible and must have participated in at least 75% of team activities.

Good Conduct Ribbon

Awarded at the end of the school year to cadets with no in-school or out of school suspensions of any kind, and no adverse reports from other staff or faculty.

Service Ribbon

Awarded annually for distinctive performance in school, community or AFJROTC service projects. Cadets who perform at least 20 hours of community service are eligible to receive this ribbon. Participation in Drill Team, Saber Team or Color Guard alone does not qualify for the Service Ribbon unless community service hours are also awarded. Participation in fundraisers does not qualify for the service ribbon.

Health and Wellness Ribbon

Awarded once each academic year for participating in the unit physical fitness program. In addition, cadets who score the following on the Physical Fitness Test will be awarded star devices as follows:

• Score in the 75-84 percentiles - awarded a Bronze Star device

• Score  in the 85-95 percentiles - awarded a Silver Star device

• Score in the 96-100 percentiles – awarded a Gold Star device

These cadets, if already wearing the ribbon with oak leaf cluster(s), will receive and wear an additional Health and Wellness Ribbon with the highest-level Star Device(s) affixed. Duplicate awards of the Bronze, Silver or Gold percentile will be denoted by the addition of another star on this ribbon. Should a cadet subsequently score in a higher percentile, only the star representing the higher percentile will be worn. In no case will a cadet mix different color stars, or star(s) and oak leaf cluster(s) on the same ribbon.

Recruiting Ribbon

Awarded for outstanding effort in support of unit recruiting activities. Cadets may earn this ribbon by accomplishing one of the following:

• Participating in two (2) recruiting activities (visits to middle schools, Freshman Orientation, etc)

• Recruiting two students to join AFJROTC (the new cadets must remain for at least one semester)

• Participating in one recruiting activity and recruiting one student to join

Activities Ribbon

Awarded for participation in LDR activities that do not otherwise qualify for a ribbon (eg. Color Guard, Drill Team, Saber Team). These include, but are not limited to, End Zone Warriors, Drum Corps and PT team. A cadet must participate in at least 75% of the group’s activities, including practices. Cadets may earn an oak leaf cluster if they participate in more than one group.

Attendance Ribbon

Awarded at the end of the school year to cadets with no unexcused absences (“AU”, "AT" or "TOT"), and no more than three excused absences (“AE” or "OSS") from AFJROTC classes in either semester. Absences coded “AN” will not be considered.

Dress and Appearance Ribbon

Awarded each semester for wearing the AFJROTC uniform on all designated uniform days (to include completing the makeup assignment when absent), unless excused by the SASI/ASI; and maintaining at least a 90% average on uniform inspections.

Longevity Ribbon

Awarded for each year of participation in AFJROTC. Cadets must receive a passing grade to qualify.

Bataan Death March Memorial Hike Ribbon

Awarded for completion of a 14-mile memorial hike to honor and remember the sacrifices of the victims and survivors of World War II’s Bataan Death March. The hike may be completed in a span of one to no more than three days.

Patriotic Flag Ribbon

Awarded for participation in three non-color guard events specifically designed to honor our nation’s flag. Such events include flag raising ceremonies, flag retirement ceremonies, flag folding ceremonies and historical flag demonstrations. The events may extend over more than one academic year. Raising/lowering the school flag does not count toward award of this ribbon unless it is part of a special ceremony.