Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon — Military Decorations

Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon Medal and Ribbon Design Images

The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon comes with a unique service ribbon, which is worn on the recipient's uniform in situations where the full medal is not worn. If you have earned this decoration, you can wear the service ribbon on your ribbon rack.
Design of the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon

The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon is olive-colored with a tan bar on the center.

What is the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon Decoration?

The Drill Instructor Ribbon is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which is issued by the Navy, Air Force, and United States Marine Corps. The Drill Instructor Ribbon recognizes those service members who are trained and qualified as military instructors to new recruits during basic training. The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon was created in July 1997 and recognizes those members of the United States Marine Corps who successfully trained and qualified as Marine Corps Drill Instructors. To qualify, a Marine must hold the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 0911 (Drill Instructor) or must have served a successful tour of duty on positions such as a Recruit Training Battalion Commander, Executive Officer, S-3, or Sergeant Major. While some Marines volunteer for the job of Drill Instructor, a substantial percentage are selected for the three-year tour of duty. Drill Instructor candidates begin their careers at one of the Marine Corps? two Drill Instructor Schools held at the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depots in San Diego Parris Island and South Carolina. Over a twelve-week period, Drill Instructor students receive intensive training subjects ranging from tactical military concepts, first aid, time management, and physical fitness. The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon is retroactively authorized to October 6, 1952. Multiple awards of the ribbon are denoted by service stars.

The United States military sorts decorations into categories called Classes and Types. The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon medal is classified as a Service Award of the type Training Service Ribbon.

How Do You Earn the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon?

The Drill Instructor Ribbon is awarded to Marines who complete a successful three-year tour of duty in Military Occupational Speciality 0911, but can qualify for the award if they transfer out provided they have completed a minimum of 30 months of Drill Instructor duty.

Displaying the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon

The Order of Precedence of the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon is 118, and this precedence is used when placing the associated service ribbon on your uniform ribbon rack. You can see a full list of decorations in the order of precedence on the Decorations homepage.

The Drill Instructor Ribbon is attached to the left chest of the military uniform.

Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon Associated Branches

Marine Corps

Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon Associated Branches

Marine Corps

Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon and the Stolen Valor Act

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is a federal law that makes it illegal for any person to falsely claim to be the recipient of certain military awards, "with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that he or she received the award".This decoration is covered by the Stolen Valor act. Fraudulently claiming to have received a Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon can result in punishment including a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both


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