Newsletter/Submissions/Articles/Awards Div
Well since the last article we’ve ended up adding a new category: Dept Level awards. Like the Branch and Zone level awards, Dept level awards are equal to the other two. Since Dept’s cover several branches, similar to how branches cover several zones, Dept level awards will be placed before the Branch level awards in the order of precedence. I’m sure by now you have all seen the new Dept of Computer Operations ribbons, either on the web site, from the email to the member’s list or elsewhere in this newsletter. [*Gary, take out this last bit if Sam doesn’t submit an article for the newsletter on his new ribbons*]
Let’s review the various ribbons at this level. We’ll be covering them in their order of precedence.
First off is the Order of the Maquis (OotM). This is the highest awards possible for a member to receive. This ribbon is reserved exclusively for the IC to issue and aside from its physical representation this division has no control over it. It’s look recently was updated to further set it aside from the general ribbons. This ribbon is always worn on a separate bar above all the other ribbon. It is basically MFI’s version of the Medal of Honor.
Next are the Starbursts. These three ribbons are intended for members who go above and beyond their normal daily duty in terms of bravery and lifesaving. These ribbons are not intended for those members of the Police and Rescue field in regards to their normal jobs. They may be eligible for one of these if their own fields recognize them as having gone above and beyond their normal duties. We do recognize the sacrifice and risk they endure on a daily basis with the Civilian Service ribbon. Although the CivServ is a Chapter Level ribbon, it is such only for the ease of distribution since the local CO can better verify its issue then the division can. The Gold Starburst (GSB) is issued to those members who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism, gallantry and/or meritorious service far above and beyond the call of duty outside MFI at the risk to one's own life. The Silver Starburst (SSB) is the same with the exception that one’s life is not at risk. The Bronze Star of Bravery (BSB) is issued for meritorious acts of bravery and/or heroism.
Following the Starbursts come the Commendation ribbons. There is one for each branch as well as one for one for MFI overall. These are for extraordinary efforts given to the organization by a member. Like the Achievements these awards require write ups. The main difference is that the Commendations are routed through the Awards Board with the Branch Heads having veto ability on them, instead of being routed directly through the Branch Heads. What does this mean? Basically if a candidate is nominated for a Commendation it is sent to the Awards Board. They review it and determine if it is indeed worthy of a Commendation. If not it is kicked back down to the Branch Head as an Achievement nomination. If so it is forwarded to the Branch Head to allow them a chance to review and reject it. Ultimately the Branch Head has control over the Commendations, but the Awards Board becomes a filter to ensure the worthiness of the nomination.
The Academy ribbons are next in order. These ribbons are earned by passing a course in the Colleges of the Academy. Academy ribbons are worn in alphabetical order of the Colleges with the exception of the New Member Exam ribbon which is worn first among the grouping and NCO and OCS ribbons coming before the Marine College ribbon. There are three special attachments to the Academy ribbons; Honors Frames, Dean knots, and Author/Instructor knots. The gold Honors Frame goes around a College ribbon where Honors was achieved in at least one of the courses in that College. In most Colleges that is 100% on the first attempt of an exam. Check with the individual Colleges and each course within to determine the exact requirements for Honors. The Dean knots are a silver double knot device worn on the College ribbon for which they are or were a Dean. Current Deans add the Honors Frame to their ribbon. These are worn before any general College ribbons in the same alphabetical order. A Current Dean ribbon is worn before any past Dean ribbons. Note that there are three ribbons for which there can be no Dean ribbons; New Member Exam, Marine NCO Exam, and Marine OCS exam. These are specialized ribbons, within certain Colleges, mostly grandfathered in from an earlier period. The Author/Instructor knots are a silver single knot device worn on the College for which a person either wrote an exam for or is an Instructor for. Typically these two conditions will be the same, but not always. The Honors Frame is never worn with the Author/Instructor ribbon. These are worn between the Dean ribbons and the College ribbons in the same order as the College ribbons. College Ribbons accumulate stars as more courses are passed. See the Awards Div section of the MFI website for how the stars work. I will also cover attachments in a later article. College stars are limited to a representational 15 courses (Single Bronze Star). Any courses passed after that will simply be noted in a member’s service record. Honors may be added at the point the first Course is passed with Honors even if that is after the 15 Course mark is reached.
Following the Academy Ribbons is the MFI Service Ribbon (MFIServ). This is a longevity ribbons showing how long a member has been in MFI, noted in two year blocks. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Next are probably the most well know ribbons in MFI next to the Academy ribbons; the End of Year (EoY) Awards. These three ribbons are awarded from individual nominations added to the winners of the Zone Level End of Year Awards. All EoY ribbons are awarded to the unit that exhibits the highest levels of participation and involvement, although not necessarily within MFI as a whole. A winner could be someone who has shown exceptional Zone or even chapter activity could be given an EoY above someone who while active on the International scale, is less so. All members of The Unit of the Year at the time that the award was received will be authorized to wear the ribbon. Once an EoY ribbons is achieved there are no other attachments. Subsequent awards are simply noted in the Unit’s and the members’ service records.
This concludes the review of the various ribbons currently in effect within MFI. There are two new Chapter Level ribbons being worked on currently, and they will be detailed when they are finalized.
To review all the ribbons in their proper order: Order of the Maquis, Gold Starbusrt, Silver Starburst, Bronze Star of Bravery, MFI Commendation, Naval Commendation, Marine Commendation, SSD Commendation, SOC Commendation, KTF Commendation, Academy Current Dean Ribbons (in Alphabetical College Order), Academy Past Dean Ribbons (in Alphabetical College Order), Academy Author/Instructor Ribbons (in Alphabetical College Order), Academy Course Ribbons (New Member Exam then in Alphabetical College Order with NCO then OCS preceding the Marine College), MFI Service Ribbon, MFI Unit of the Year, MFI Rebel of the Year, MFI Volunteer of the Year, Operation: PenPal, Echelon Badge Campaign, Rank Pin Campaign, Department level ribbons (per the dept’s order of Precidence), MFIAM, NAM, MAM, SAM, SOCAM, KAM, Any Naval branch ribbon, Any Marine branch ribbon, any SSD branch ribbon, Any SOC branch ribbon, Any KTF branch ribbon, ZUoY, ZRoY, ZVoY, Any Zone Ribbons (if from various Zones wear in numeric order first then the Zone Order of Precedence), MilServ, CivServ, CommServ, ConServ, Any Chapter Level Ribbons (If from multiple units wear from most recent to least recent first, then follow that unit's Order of precedence)
Next article we’ll go over the various attachments and their meaning.
Capt Barbara Adams Awards Division Head
