The Army Service Ribbon (ASR) is a United States Army service award authorized for wear on the Army uniform.
Purpose and eligibility
The ribbon is presented to members of the United States Army upon successful completion of their initial entry training. Eligibility includes:
- Enlisted soldiers who complete Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) or the equivalent.
- Officers who complete Officer Candidate School (OCS), a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) commissioning program, or the United States Military Academy (USMA).
- Warrant officers who complete Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) or the appropriate technical training course.
The award recognizes that a service member has fulfilled the Army’s initial training requirements and is thus authorized to serve as a fully trained member of the Army. It is not a valor or campaign award and does not denote combat experience.
History
The Army Service Ribbon was established by Department of the Army policy on 1 April 1981. It was created to provide a uniform visual indication that a soldier, officer, or warrant officer had completed the basic training needed for entry into the regular Army force structure.
Appearance
The ribbon is 1 ⅜ inches (3.5 cm) wide and consists of a series of vertical stripes of olive drab, black, white, and scarlet. The precise color arrangement and stripe widths are defined in Army Regulation 600‑8‑22.
Wear and placement
When authorized, the Army Service Ribbon is worn on the left side of the uniform, above all other service ribbons but below any medal ribbons. It is positioned in the order of precedence prescribed by Army Regulation 670‑1. No devices (e.g., stars or oak leaf clusters) are authorized for this ribbon, as it is awarded only once.
Regulatory references
- Army Regulation 600‑8‑22, “Military Awards,” which lists the Army Service Ribbon among the approved service awards.
- Army Regulation 670‑1, “Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia,” which provides guidance on the ribbon’s placement.
Related awards
The Army Service Ribbon is one of several initial entry awards; comparable awards in other services include the Navy’s “Navy Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon” (not an official ribbon) and the Air Force’s “Air Force Training Ribbon.”
Current status
The Army Service Ribbon remains an active award and continues to be issued to all newly trained Army personnel. Its issuance is automatic upon verification of training completion by the appropriate personnel records system.