AboutRod Powers Expertise Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
Question I've served in the Army for 6 years and was wondering which decorations, badges and other medals are authorized to wear on the marine corps uniform.
Here is a list of my medals and badges:
purple hearts
Arcoms
army achievement medal
army good conduct medal
national defense medal
Arcam
Iraq campaign medal
Gwot medal
Gwot expeditionary medal
overseas service ribbon
armed forces reserve medal
CIB
Presidential unit citation
I was told I may be able to wear the marine corps combat ribbon in place of the CIB. Is that possible?
The gist of the article is that one cannot rely upon "experts" to answer these kinds of questions. One must dig into the regulations on their own.
For example, let's say I told you what Army awards you could wear on a Marine Corps uniform. What's going to happen if a Marine Corps Drill Instructor or Marine Corps First Sergeant jumps on your case, because he/she thinks you're wearing an unauthorized decoration.
Now, what would you rather answer? "Sir/Ma'am, Rod Powers, a recognized Military authority told me I could wear this," or "Sir/Ma'am, as I understand Marine Corps Order (MCO) P1020.34F -- 'MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS,' I'm allowed to wear this Army decoration?" I can tell you which answer is going to impress the DI or First Sergeant more, and it ain't because they love me <smile>.
So, I'm not going to throw you a fish. Instead I'll teach you how to fish. You can find your answers in the MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATION, P1020.34F. The regulation is available to read online at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/marineregs/l/blmco102034.htm.
Okay, okay, I'll even give you a further hint. Most of your questions can be answered in Chapter 5 of the regulation. Pay particular attention to Chapter 5, paragraph 5100, subparagraphs 2 and 3.
For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Website at: http://usmilitary.about.com.
