u.s. merchant marine academy insignia: corps of cadets & regiment of midshipmen awards

In addition to wearing Federal decorations, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Regiment of Midshipmen has had a tradition of awarding midshipmen Regiment-specific awards. Over time, the inventory of ribbons which could be found on a midshipman's uniform steadily grew from two to today's twenty six.

The first, most noted award found on a midshipman's uniform is the "Academic Star." This award was originally the pre-war "Scholastic Pin" and was a blue-white-blue ribbon with a program symbol on the white band - an anchor for Deck or prop for Engineering. With the Regiment's installation at Kings Point, the ribbon disappeared and became a cloth star sewn onto the uniform cuff and affixed to shoulder boards. It was later turned into a pin and was placed underneath the U.S.N.R. badge.

During the Second Word War, the only other Academy-specific awards were athletic medals granted to midshipmen for intramural competitions and the Maritime Commission's "Enemy Action" ribbon . The latter was first granted to midshipmen by the Maritime Commission in 1943 with the awardees concurrently becoming members of the "Tin Fish Club." Like the "Merchant Marine Combat Action" ribbon, the "Enemy Action" ribbon was granted to those who were aboard ships that were attacked by the enemy or instruments of war - but unlike the "Combat Action" ribbon, a second grade of the ribbon denoted war wounds. This ribbon appeared at the same time as the "Combat Action" ribbon, and preceded the institution of the "Mariner's Medal" - the decoration granted to merchant seamen who were wounded or killed by the enemy. By mid-war Academy combat-related ribbons were deleted and superseded by U.S. Maritime Commission ribbon awards. After the Second World War, with the disappearance of Merchant Marine service ribbons, a midshipman could earn an honor ribbon for exemplary academics during their sea year.

Present-day Kings Pointers often wear nothing on their uniforms except their Eagle pins, Academic Stars, and Sea Year ribbons. Conventional wisdom among midshipmen is they know their peers and do not require ribbons to stand out. It is the mindset of "Acta Non Verba" - "Deeds Not Words" - which marks the Kings Pointer and not a colorful rack of ribbons. The joke goes, "Thank them for their service" when a midshipmen is seen with a tier or two of ribbons. With that caveat, there are some midshipmen who do wear awarded ribbons; they are often those who feel compelled to do so as part of their image within the Regiment, to present "officer appearance."

The precedence for the ribbons is Federal decorations come first, followed by Regiment awards. Midshipmen are expressly prohibited from wearing JROTC ribbons (although the Ship's Store does stock NJROTC Academic Honor ribbons). And, the only civilian awards found on a midshipmen's uniform are Eagle and Girl Scout ribbons. In the 2017-2018 Academic Year, midshipmen usually wore ribbons on their khaki working uniform, and sparingly on their dress whites or dress blues.

Ribbons are, by and large, purchased at the midshipman's expense. In 2017-18 Academic Year, ribbons cost $ .75 and ribbon appurtenances cost an average of $ .75 per device.

For current-issue ribbons, I have grouped them into: Academic, Personal Commendation, Organization & Regiment, and Indoctrination. I precede them with old Athletic Medals and Academic Stars. I will soon include examples of the "Enemy Action" ribbons. At the end of this page, I have included precedence lists for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Academic Years at the end of this document.

Athletic Medals

Both medals are from the 1940s and are for boxing competitions.

The medal on the left is for a runner-up in a 135 pounds bout, and the one on the right is for second-place. The ribbons and medals are interesting.

The first medal is a generic Dieges & Clust boxing medal produced in 1945. This example could be picked up from any awards dealer and engraved on the spot - as is evident with the engraved U.S.M.M.A, on the obverse. The red-white-blue ribbon is a common, generic ribbon.

The silver medal, however is customized with a die-stamped U.S.M.M.A above the boxers and was produced in 1948. This customization indicates the Academy's move toward permanence and moving away from the wartime crash course of graduating Merchant Marine officers and adopting a four-year college curriculum. And, like all American colleges of the time, Kings Point adopted official school colors - in this case, blue and gray. In 1949, U.S. Congress authorized the Academy to grant Bachelor of Science degrees.

Academic Stars

Midshipmen are awarded Academic Stars on the following basis:

Gold Star: a QPA of at least 3.50 with no course failures in the term. (left)

Silver Star: a QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49 with no course failures in the term. (right)

They are awarded on a term basis; for Term 1, the award ceremony takes place in February.

If a midshipman falls below the requisite QPA, the Academic Star is removed from the midshipman's uniform. It is worn below the U.S.N.R. badge (known as the "Eagle Pin") and above the left breast pocket; if the midshipman is wearing a ribbon rack ("Glory bars"), the star is placed above the ribbons.

Since Academic Stars were awarded each term, midshipmen once had the option of wearing each awarded Star on their uniform; I note the most worn was eight in 1971. Unlike their counterparts across the Long Island Sound at SUNY Maritime, Kings Pointers only now wear one Academic Star at a time; they abandoned this practice at the close of the 1970s.

The first published Regulations Governing Appointments to Cadetships in the Merchant Marine of the United States in 1939 has a short section on Awards; it notes:

16. (a) Cadets receiving average grades of 85 percent or higher in annual examinations shall be permitted to wear a blue and white ribboned pin with a small gold anchor or propeller, as appropriate, in the white center. If a cadet receives a grade of 85 percent or higher in subsequent annual examinations additional small gold anchors or propellers shall be place on the pin.

(b) Steamship company employers may select one cadet (D) and one cadet (E) on January 1st of each year, as outstanding cadets in their service. The reports of the District Cadet Training Instructor may be consulted for the purpose of comparison or the employers may make awards based in their own records. Cadets selected by employer shall be permitted to wear a gold and blue ribboned pin with gold anchors or propellers, as appropriate, on the blue center. This pin shall not be awarded more than once to any cadet. If an outstanding cadet also has won a pin for high scholastic grades such pin shall be work as a continuation of the other.

However, with the issuance of Executive Order 9083 dated February 28, 1942 "Redistribution of Maritime Function" per "Section 5. Transfer of Training Functions from Maritime Commission," the training of cadet-midshipmen came under the purview of the Coast Guard. With this change, previous awards to cadet-midshipmen ceased. Shortly thereafter, when the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy recruited Captain James H. Tomb as Superintendent in April 1942, the award structure re-visited. By 1943 came the "Scholastic Star." Due to the nature of the instruction at the Academy, during the Second World War, the Star was only found on the uniforms of Second and First-Class Midshipmen. Unlike the present QPA qualifications determining which star could be worn, the Scholastic Star was awarded by the Academy's Academic Board to midshipmen in the top 10% of their class. So as long as a midshipmen remained in the top 10%, they rated the wear of the Star. It was available to midshipmen beginning the second quarter of their first year.

It took another twenty years before the "Outstanding Cadet" pin was re-introduced as the "Sea Year" ribbon.

Ribbon units (Glory bars)

Academic

Sea Year Ribbon

This is an academic honor ribbon.

The ribbon's award "reflect[s] not only academic excellence but include high marks in shipboard evaluations by their ship's officers." The ribbons are award for both the first and second sea years. The award ceremony for the Sea Year Academic ribbon is co-terminous with the Term 1 Academic Stars award ceremony. It is blue and gray, the school colors.

The ribbon has four grades: Honor Ribbon, Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star, with Silver Star, and with Gold Star (2017).

Honor Ribbon: A QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49 for the first time, during the second sea year, no failing grades, and above average (3.0) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which have been entered in to Academy's Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.

Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star: A QPA of at least 3.50 up to and including 3.49 for the second sea year, no failing grades, and above average (3.0) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which have been entered in to Academy's Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.

Honor Ribbon with Silver Star: A QPA of at least 3.25 for the second sea year period, no failing grades, and above average (3.0 or better) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which Evaluations have been entered in to the Academy's Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades, and earned any Honor Ribbon during first sea period.

Honor Ribbon with Gold Star: A QPA of at least 3.50 for the second sea year period, no failing grades, and above average (3.0 or better) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which Evaluations have been entered in to Academy's Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades, and earned Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star during first sea period.

The ribbon is worn "on all uniforms except the Boiler-suit and Athletic uniforms. When Worn it shall be located on the left side of the last row of ribbons, or, if no other ribbons are worn, it shall be centered with the lower edge ¼” above the left pocket. Ribbon shall be worn with the blue field inboard, and the point of the star upwards (if star applicable)." (USMMA 2012)

N.B.: This ribbon is also called "Scholastic Honor Ribbon" (1978, 2000, 2005, 2015), "Sea Year Honor Ribbon" (1964, 1968, 1985, 2012), "Sea Year Academic Ribbon" (2007, 2017), "Honor Ribbon" (2015, 2017), "Sea Year Ribbon" (2014, 2017, 2018), or "Sea Year Scholastic Ribbon" (2017), depending upon the communication.

Reference:

Professional Development & Career Services, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Sea Year Guide (July 24, 2012). U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, 2012.

vanguard #3222 nex: sea year #3222

Personal Commendation

Academy Commendation Ribbon

vanguard #3652 nex: academy comm

Academy Commendation Ribbon

Both this Vanguard #3420 and #3652 - as present at the Ship's Store at Kings Point - are marked as Academy Commendation ribbons. The only difference between the two is the latter's middle stripe being a slightly darker shade of yellow than the former.

vanguard #3420 nex: academy commen

Academy Achievement Ribbon for Meritorious Service

As a personal decoration, it is the Academy's highest award for service. Yet, in precedence it factors below that of the Academy Commendaton ribbon. It is awarded to Midshipmen officers for exemplary leadership skills - such as performance and execution of duties during Indoctrination - or for extreme sacrifice and dedication to others. In regard to latter, members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Emergency Medical Service and others involved in triage and care of victims of the 9/11 attack in lower Manhattan in 2001 earned the award.

The actions of one Midshipman involved in supporting 9/11 victims - Matthew Walden Freeman - gained the recognition of U.S. Congress in the wake of his untimely death in 2005 - two weeks before his graduation.

Curiously, this ribbon's stock is neither maintained at the either the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy nor is available from any military or school ribbon supplier.

Honor Guard Service Ribbon

This is a personal commendation ribbon. It is awarded to Plebes who have conducted forty (?) campus visits with prospective applicants to Kings Point.

This ribbon is also worn with a gold frame; I do not know the circumstances for the frame.

vanguard #1137 nex: honor guard #1

<no image> [yellow-blue-yellow-blue-yellow]

PRT Award (Ironman Ribbon)

This is a personal commendation ribbon.

After the scoring of the Academy Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), 5 Midshipmen scoring the highest are awarded the ribbon. They are dubbed "Academy Ironmen."

PFA consists of a series of strength and endurance events to measure an individual’s physical fitness in relation to their age and gender. The three events are curl-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run/walk or 500 yard swim. During the academic year, there is at least one scheduled PFA per trimester administered to the Regiment.

vanguard #5213 sku: 7853240

Organization & Regiment

Band Service Ribbon

This is an organization ribbon.

vanguard #3410 nex: band service

Color Guard Service Ribbon

This is an organization ribbon. Six midshipmen from each class comprise of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Color Guard.

The Color Guard marches in numerous parades and at football games six across. In order, they are flanked by two ceremonial rifle-bearers, and carry the national flag of the United States of America, the U.S. Maritime Service flag, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point flag, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Battle Standard. Their dress uniform is often Yankee - Navy-blue Mandarin-color coats and white trousers. The drill team shares the same uniform.

vanguard #3325 nex: color guard #3

Drill Instructor Service Ribbon

This is a Regiment ribbon.

At the end of Indoctrination, 50 upperclassman who serve as Drill Instructors for the around 250 incoming plebe candidates are awarded the Drill Instructor Ribbon. A veteran Drill Instructor may affix a bronze star to their ribbon, denoting their status as Senior or Experienced Drill Instructor. By tradition, the Drill Instructor (DI) is also known as a "pusher."

vanguard #? nex: drill ins

Drill Team/Cannon Squad Service Ribbon

This is an organization ribbon.

vanguard #3416 nex: drill team #34

<no image> [red-white-red-white-blue-white-red-blue-red-white-blue-white-red-white-red]

Drum Major Service Ribbon

Eagle Scout Ribbon

This is an organization ribbon. It is primarily purchased and worn by members of the Eagle Scout Club. To qualify for the ribbon, individuals must either have been Eagle Scouts or Girl Scouts prior to matriculation at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

According to Scouting records, of the 279 midshipmen in the Class of 2020, 58 are Scouts and of those, 34 are Eagle Scouts - making up 20.8% and 12.2% of the total student body, respectively. Taking into consideration that the Class Profile is 19.7% female, the numbers are skewed to 25.9% and 15.2% of all male midshipmen. If the statistics hold for each class, there are 130 Eagle Scouts within the ranks of Kings Pointers. However, any given year, there are 14-15 midshipmen in the Eagle Scout Club.

Statistics on Girl Scouts is not known.

EMT Service Ribbon

Fanfare Trumpet Squad Ribbon

This is an organization ribbon. The Fanfare Trumpet Squad was a component of the Regimental Band. It was comprised of 10 midshipmen - ranging from Midshipmen Third to Second Class - in two sections: "Fanfare Trumpet" and "Bass Fanfare Trumpet."

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Girl Scout Gold Award Ribbon

vanguard #3660 sku 7848900

Training Vessel Service Ribbon

vanguard #3401 nex: training vessel

Waterfront Trainer Service Ribbon

This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.

vanguard #3674 nex: waterfront prof

Indoctrination Awards

The 20-teens was a time of change for the Regiment. The Commandant's staff instituted a series of ribbons for personal and unit achievements within the Regiment. The most noted among the awards were Honor Plebe and Honor Plebe Company ribbons. And, unit commendation ribbons were given to those platoons that score the highest in certain areas during Indoctrination: Drill, Spirit, Inspection, Iron (PRT), Academic (Plebe Knowledge), and Seamanship (Waterfront skills).

Despite the award of ribbons each year, motivation for wear is low. In the 2016-2017 Academic Year, the Commandant encouraged midshipmen to wear the three most prestigious of their ribbons on their khaki work uniforms; this directive has not taken much traction at the time of this writing (2018).

Honor Plebe Ribbon & Honor Plebe Company Ribbon

The upper is a personal commendation ribbon and the below is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.

One Plebe from each platoon who their Drill Instructors feel performed "above and beyond" during Indoctrination are nominated as Honor Plebes. Only ten Plebes are so honored each year. Each company that shows the best performance is denoted "Honor Plebe Company" and awarded the Honor Plebe Company ribbon. Prior to 2017, three Plebes from each company were given the award since companies were comprised of three platoons.

After the administration of the Naval Oath, Honor Plebes and Honor Plebe Platoon are honored on Acceptance Day. The Honor Plebes are awarded the Honor Plebe ribbon and "Certificate for outstanding performance of duty" and participate in an Honor Plebe Dinner at Melville Hall. The most outstanding of Honor Plebes is chosen to be the "Regimental Bell Ringer" - this individual rings the bell outside of Melville Oval to start school days and as well as football games.

vanguard ? nex: honor plebe

vanguard ? nex: honor platoon

Academic Platoon Ribbon

This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.

Note: Ribbon orientation is incorrect; blue is inboard, gold is outboard.

vanguard #3278 nex: ?

Drill Platoon Ribbon

This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.

vanguard #3102 nex: drill platoon

Iron Platoon Ribbon

This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination. It is for the platoon that scores highest in PT.

vanguard #3406 nex: iron platoon

Spirit Platoon Ribbon

This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.

vanguard #3509 nex: spirit platoon

Inspection Platoon Ribbon

This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.

vanguard #3242 nex: inspec. platoon

Seamanship Platoon Ribbon

This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.

Note: In 2018, the ribbon colors are inverted Spirit Platoon Ribbon.

vanguard #4001 nex: seamanship platoon

vanguard #3508 sku 784600 (original)

Other Medals and Awards

Marine Society of the City of New York Award (Civilian)

This award is sponsored by the Marine Society of the City of New York. It is a pair of binoculars is given to the Midshipman in each graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding interest, aptitude and professional proficiency in seagoing activities at the Academy. The Head, Department of Professional Development & Career Services selects the recipient based upon the recommendations of Academy Training Representatives (ATRs) - individuals within the Department of Professional Development & Career Services who coordinate midshipmen activities during their Sea Year. The award is presented at graduation.

Merchant Mariner’s Expeditionary Medal (Federal - Department of Transportation/Maritime Administration)

Awarded to American merchant seamen who serve on U.S.-flag ships in support of operations involving American and allied military force. It was first authorized for service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; the award is now authorized to mariners who serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Midshipmen who sail with the Military Sealift Command in the Persian Gulf may recieve this medal.

Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award (Federal - Department of Homeland Security)

Given the superb handling of President George W. Bush’s visit to the Academy as the keynote commencement speaker on June 19, 2006 – the first visit to Kings Point by a sitting U.S. President – the Academy's Regiment, faculty, and staff was awarded the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award. This was the only award of DOT Outstanding Unit Award after 2003.

vanguard sku 7750400 "DOT Outstanding Achievement with Small Frame"

Global War on Terrorism Medal (Federal - Department of Defense)

This medal, commonly known as the GWOT Medal, was approved on August 9, 2007 and unveiled by the Department of Defense (DoD) on February 26, 2008. The GWOT Medal was created to recognize and honor the contributions of DoD civilians in direct support of our military members engaged in operations to combat terrorism. It is issued by the Secretary of Defense and awarded to midshipmen on the recommendation of U.S. Army or U.S. Navy commands. It involves a period of 30-days of support. Like the Expeditionary Medal, it is commonly awarded to Midshipmen who sail with the Military Sealift Command.

vanguard sku 7789790 "Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service DOD"

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Regiment of Midshipmen Ribbon Precedence

The following chart shows the change in ribbon precedence between Academic Year 2016 and 2017.

Noted is the movement of physical fitness and an Indoctrination honor award over that of academic. The older Band ribbons have fallen to the end of the racks, just before the public-service EMT ribbon. For Indoctrination awards, physical fitness and discipline take priority over academics and overall unit spirit. The Drill Master ribbon has taken the professional moniker "Indoctrination Cadre". Academy Commendation curiously remains higher in precedence than the higher prestige award of Academy Achievement.