<p>The Academy published a great story today. USMMA has received the US Department of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award for excellent performance of duty in support of President George W. Bushs visit to the campus last June. The staff, faculty and midshipmen were honored.</p>
<p>Did I hear correctly that all the midshipmen who participated in the June 19, 2006 event will be able to wear a special ribbon?</p>
<p>Congratulations to the staff, faculty, midshipmen and graduates who made it so great to have the President of the United States at Kings Point!</p>
<p>I forwarded this to the Jamz & his sea partner. They said, "SWEET. What a feather in our cap".
I didn't ask about the ribbon. Felt sure he wouldn't know out there ocean bobbing. Thanks for posting atlsmith.</p>
<p>As it appears that the award was granted to all staff, faculty, and midshipmen that means they will all be allowed to wear the DOT Outstanding Unit award Ribbon and Medal on their uniforms. Although I believe they can wear it while at the Academy I am not sure that is allowed on Navy Uniforms and therefore they probably won't be able to wear it after graduation. I'll have to look into that further.</p>
<p>I was not questioning the "realness" of the award, what I was questioning and will go look up is if it is listed in the awards authorized to wear by the OPNAVINST for Navy/Marine Corps Awards. There are real awards that are awarded by other branches that are not authorized to wear on the navy uniform such as the "I graduated basic training award" given to those in the Army. If someone switches from army to navy they are not authorized to wear the ribbon on their navy uniform. Another example would be the german troop award. I'll be back shortly with an answer.</p>
<p>okay, to continue my pad posting :) haha....</p>
<p>I looked into SECNAVINST 1650.1H which is the Navy Awards manual....</p>
<p>(This only applies after graduation)</p>
<p>Basically my read on it is this: the DOT Meritorious Unit award is a U.S. non-military decoration and therefore falls under Chapter 5 which states under 2. Appropriate Wear "At least one U.S. military decoration must be worn in order to wear a non-military decoration."</p>
<p>Now for those going on Active Duty this requirement is easily met because they will be authorized the National Defense Service Medal upon entering active service and will also receive the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal shortly thereafter (basically it only requires 30 days active service). For those who stay in the Merchant Marine Reserve they are not authorized to wear the NDSM and therefore will not be allowed to wear the DOT Unit award until they are awarded a medal. Unfortunately the guidelines for the NDSM specifically make the following ineligible for the award : "Guard and Reserve force personnel on short tours of active duty to fulfill training obligations under an inactive duty training program, including drill periods and two-week training." </p>
<p>Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for those in the class of '06 and on, but if you don't have any other military awards you are probably not authorized to wear the ribbon for the meritorious unit award. Now once one gets another award they can then wear the unit award as well. This does not prevent the midshipmen from wearing the award though as they are under different guidance while at the Academy. I also do not claim to be the final authority in this, but I would seek guidance from the Naval Science department at the Academy if you are a graduate or will be graduating in the next three years on if you can continue to wear the award upon graduation.</p>