1. Cadet:
   (1) Excels in the normal path of advancement.
   (2) Performs normal training requirements in an outstanding manner.
   (3) Is smart and neat in appearance, and wears the uniform with pride.
   (4) Always acts in keeping with the highest traditions of the NSCC.
   

   Notes:
   (1) May be awarded to company honor cadets upon completion of NSCC RTC. Approval authority given to the COTC.
   (2) May be awarded to all Cadets in the honor company upon completion of the NSCC RTC as approved by COTC.
   
   

2. Officer/Midshipman/Instructor:
   (1) Pursues professional development through participation in formal and optional courses.
   (2) Performs training and administrative responsibilities in an outstanding manner.
   (3) Is smart and neat in appearance.
   (4) Always acts in keeping with the highest traditions of the NSCC.
   
   

1. Be in good standing academically.
2. Progressing satisfactorily in the Sea Cadet program.
3. Demonstrated outstanding achievement in (1) Community Service and (2) NSCC Naval Education.
4. Demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Naval Sea Cadet Corps.
5. Must be of high moral character.
6. Displays outstanding military bearing and conduct both in and out of uniform.
7. Actively promotes patriotism and Americanism.
8. Demonstrates growth potential (assumes higher levels of responsibility)
9. Must not have been previous recipient of the award.
   
   

1. Successful completion of eight (8) prescribed substance abuse or Campaign Drug Free (CDF) lectures in accompaniment with a trained instructor.
2. Performed one (1) CDF presentation to either a school, civic, church, youth group, or other community-based audience.
3. Successfully provided awareness to the ideas of CDF to community, school, church, or other youth-related organizations via newspaper articles, radio or TV stories, displays, or participation in other youth activities.
4. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) distinguishing device may be awarded to an officer, midshipman, instructor, or NSCC cadet who distinguishes him/herself by giving four (4) or more CDF presentations to any of the aforementioned community organizations. The DEA device is awarded and approved by the Executive Director.

   Notes:
   (1) The unit Commanding Officer or other appropriate authority must substantiate these requirements and forward to NHQ Representative for approval.
   (2) The ribbon design will reflect a blue and gold field, split vertically with the inboard side solid blue and the outboard side solid gold.
   
   

1. Cadet:
   

   Recruit one officer, midshipman, instructor, or five NSCC/NLCC cadet into any NSCC/NLCC unit. [For subsequent appurtenances see SECTION X, Paragraph 5q Note (4)]
   

2. Officer/Midshipman/Instructor:
   

   Recruit officers, midshipmen, instructors, and NSCC/NLCC cadets into any NSCC/NLCC unit; accumulation of 20 recruitment points is required to qualify for the ribbon as follows (See SECTION X, Paragraph 6 for additional awards):
   

   1 point for each NSCC/NLCC cadet enrolled.
   2 points for each instructor enrolled
   4 points for each officer enrolled.
   

   Notes:
   (1) A further accumulation of 20 recruitment points is necessary to earn additional Recruiting Incentive appurtenances/awards.
   (1) See CHAPTER 4, SECTION X Note (4) for subsequent appurtenances/awards.
   
   

Note:  
(1) A unit must participate in two or more community affairs events to be eligible. Commanding Officers should submit a written request upon completion of the unit's participation in two or more such events with a description of the events. A roster of all cadets participating in the events should be made part of the request.
(2) Color Guards are not eligible for this award.

1. The current test elements from the Presidential Physical Fitness Award must be used.
2. A certified instructor from the list below must validate the test (observing another certified instructor in giving the test can certify an instructor):

   (1) Physical Education Teacher at cadet's local school.
   (2) Regional Director or his designated staff.
   (3) Active duty staff at Department of Defense facilities.
   (4) Designated active duty or NSCC PRT Coordinators at NSCC training sites.
   

3. The President's Challenge Physical Fitness Scorecard must be used and be presented to the cadet's Commanding Officer to validate the cadet's passing of the required standards.
4. Officers, midshipmen, and instructors are not eligible for this award.
5. Using the star appurtenance system, a maximum of one award per school year is allowed.
6. Ribbon is worn with the color BLUE inboard.
   
   

1. NSCC Cadet:
   
   
   (1) Served as a Navy League Cadet for a period of twelve (12) months prior to enrollment in NSCC (there shall be no time lapse between NLCC and NSCC enrollments).
   (2) Attained the rate of PO3, or higher, while serving as a NLCC cadet.
   
   
2. Officer/Midshipman/Instructor:
   

   Served as a Sea Cadet for a period of twelve (12) months prior to appointment as an officer, instructor, or midshipman (continuous service is not required).
   

Notes:
(1) Qualifying officers, midshipmen instructors, and cadets may wear the bronze boot appurtenances if earned.
(2) Qualifying officers, instructors, and midshipmen may wear the ribbon with 5/16" (large) silver star, if earned.

Notes:
(1) Officers, Midshipmen, and Instructors may only wear the current earned year ribbon.
(2) NSCC Cadets may wear all earned year ribbons.
(3) Officers, instructors, and midshipmen are not authorized to wear year ribbon awards earned while serving as a cadet.
(4) Midshipmen commence earning year ribbon awards upon completion of one year of service as a midshipman. Years of service for award purposes continue on from midshipman to officer without a break. Continuous years of service do not start over when appointed to officer status from midshipman.
(5) For service awards in excess of five years on the part of officers or instructors, see CHAPTER 4, SECTION X, and Note (5) thereto.
(6) NSCC Cadets are not authorized to wear year ribbon awards earned while serving as an NLCC cadet. (See Action Letter 01-07, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph f)

1. Centered above the left pocket with the bottom edge 1/4 inch above the pocket.
2. In horizontal rows of not more than three (3) ribbons.
3. If not in multiples of three, the upper row will contain the lesser number.
4. The center of the top row will be over the center of the first full ribbon row.
5. There will be no space between rows.
6. Sewn-on ribbons may be worn.
   
   

1. When one is worn, it will be centered on the ribbon.
2. When two or more are worn, they will be spaced so that the distance between each will be equal to the distance from end to end.
   
   

1. Maple Leaf: Awarded to officers and cadets for satisfactory completion of the US/Canadian Sea Cadet Exchange Program. A silver maple leaf is awarded for participation on the East Coast and a gold maple leaf is awarded for participation on the West Coast. The maple leaf is affixed to the NSCC Citation Ribbon.
2. Aircraft: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of aviation-oriented advanced training program of ten or more days' duration authorized by National Headquarters. See Note (1).
3. Anchor: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of advanced training aboard ship, amphibious operations, port operations, Special Boats or other surface warfare-type training, of ten days' or more duration, authorized by National Headquarters. See Note (1).
4. Shield: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of advanced training aboard a Coast Guard ship or shore activity, of not less than ten days' duration, authorized by National Headquarters. See Note (1).
5. Propeller: Awarded to an officer, midshipman, instructor, and NSCC/NLCC cadet for satisfactory completion of the Coast Guard Safe Boating Program, or a comparable program approved by National Headquarters. NLCC cadets who transfer to NSCC may wear this appurtenance on the NSCC/NLCC Service Ribbon.
6. Torch: Awarded to an officer, midshipman, instructor, and NSCC cadet for satisfactory completion of a leadership-training program approved by National Headquarters. Completion of all of the NSCC officer courses, OPD 101-301, qualifies the member for this award.
7. Submarine: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of a submarine seminar/orientation program approved by National Headquarters.
8. Hammer: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of a Seabee training program approved by National Headquarters.
9. Trident: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of a SEAL training program approved by National Headquarters prior to 2001. Note: No longer awarded for SEAL Training.
10. Compass Rose: Awarded to officers and cadets who attend a locally arranged non-ISCA sponsored International Exchange. participate in international exchange programs other than Canadian. Compass Rose is for training periods completed prior to the issuance of IEP Ribbon. (See Action Letter 03-06)
11. Lyre: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of ten (10) or more days of advanced training at the DoD School of Music.
12. Caduceus: Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of ten (10) or more days of advanced hospital corpsman training at a Navy or other military medical facility.
13. MAA - Awarded to Cadets for satisfactory completion of ten (1) or more days at a NSCC nationally approved MAA School
14. "R": Awarded to cadets for satisfactory completion of ten (10) or more days of advanced training in a Navy or Coast Guard recruiting office or station. See Note (1).
15. "E": Awarded as follows:
    (1) Awarded to all personnel attached to a NSCC unit achieving a 3.50 grade or an NLCC unit obtaining a 3.70 grade on the annual inspection. Individuals must have been attached to the unit during the year of the inspection for which the award was earned, worn on the year ribbon.
    (2) To officers, midshipmen, instructors, and NSCC/NLCC cadets who qualify as expert with pistol and/or rifle. Worn on the NSCC Marksman Ribbon. See Note (2).
16. "S": Awarded to an officer, midshipman, instructor, and NSCC/NLCC cadet who qualify as sharpshooter with pistol and/or rifle. Worn on the NSCC Marksman Ribbon. See Note (2).
17. Gold Ribbon Frame : 
    (1) Awarded to an officer, midshipman, instructor, and cadet enrolled in a unit awarded the John J. Bergen Trophy for NSCC, or the Morgan L. Fitch Trophy for NLCC. Only those enrolled in the unit at the time of the required annual inspection period for which the trophy was awarded are eligible. The ribbon frame is worn on the year ribbon for the training year covered by the inspection, or will be moved to the next highest year ribbon (NSCC cadets) for subsequent awards of the trophy. NLCC cadets authorized a ribbon frame earned for winning the Morgan Fitch Award may transfer this frame to their first-year NSCC ribbon. Only one ribbon frame may be transferred
    (2) Upon successful completion of Honor Guard Training. Frame will be worn on Color Guard Ribbon. (See Action Letter 08-04)
18. Silver Star : Awarded as follows:
    

    Large (5/16 inch)
    (1) Affixed to NSCC 25th Anniversary Ribbon for those NSCC/NLCC officers, midshipmen, and cadets who attended the ceremonies in Washington, D.C. on 15 August 1987.
    (2) Affixed to the NSCC Fifth Year Ribbon for adult leaders who have twenty-five years of consecutive active service with the NSCC/NLCC.
    (3) Affixed to NLCC Merit Ribbon indicating designation as the Honor Cadet at a NLCC orientation program approved by National Headquarters.
    (4) Affixed to NSCC/NLCC Service Ribbon for officers/midshipmen who were both former NLCC and NSCC cadets.
    (5) For those NSCC cadets who won the NLUS Youth Award as a NLCC cadet and also wins it as a NSCC cadet. The star will be affixed to the center of the suspension ribbon on NLUS Youth Medal and affixed to the outboard side with a gold boot on the inboard side of the NLUS Youth Ribbon.
    

    Small (3/16 inch)
    (1) Denotes five (5) additional awards and multiples thereof. See Note (3).
    (2) Denotes five (5) additional NSCC/NLCC cadets recruited (6th Award). Affixed to the NSCC/NLCC Recruiting Incentive Ribbon. See Note (4).
    
    

19. Bronze Star : Awarded as follows:
    (1) Denotes 6th year enrollment as a NSCC officer. See Note (3). Denotes subsequent awards of certain ribbons in conjunction with silver stars. See Note (3).
20. DEA Device : Affixed to the center of the Drug Reduction Service Ribbon to signify giving four or more CDF presentations.
    

    Notes:
    (1) Minimum of five (5) consecutive days of the ten (10) total days required.
    (2) "S" and "E" may both be worn on the Marksman Ribbon, providing that one was earned with pistol and the other with rifle. Also, two "S" or two "E" may be worn if earned with different weapons.
    (3) The following appurtenances affixed to the 5th Year Ribbon indicate additional years of enrollment as NSCC officer/midshipman/instructor:
    
    

    6th Year 7th Year 8th Year 9th Year 10th Year 11th Year 12th Year 13th Year 14th Year 15th Year 16th Year 17th Year 18th Year 19th Year 20th Year 21st Year 22nd Year 23rd Year 24th Year 25th Year

    one bronze star two bronze stars three bronze stars four bronze stars one small (3/16") silver star one small silver star and one bronze star one small silver star and two bronze stars one small silver star and three bronze stars one small silver star and four bronze stars two small silver stars two small silver stars and one bronze star two small silver stars and two bronze stars two small silver stars and three bronze stars two small silver stars and four bronze stars three small silver stars three small silver stars and one bronze star three small silver stars and two bronze stars three small silver stars and three bronze stars three small silver stars and four bronze stars one large (5/16") silver star

    (4) Second and subsequent awards of certain other ribbons are to be indicated by affixing the following appurtenances:
    
    

    2nd Award 3rd Award 4th Award 5th Award 6th Award 7th Award

    one bronze star two bronze stars three bronze stars four bronze stars one small silver star replaces all previous  bronze stars one small silver star and one bronze star, etc.