Medals can be awarded to Central Aid Agency personnel for exemplary service, outstanding conduct, and for specific instances of bravery and heroism. Medals come in two forms: Citations and Commendations. Citations cite the conduct of a specific event, while Commendations refer to general conduct over an extended period. Personnel can be awarded multiples of the same type of medal, when this occurs it is demonstrated by the wear of appurtenances on the medal ribbon. Medals can be worn as either the full medal, or as an enamel ribbon. When worn, medals and medal ribbons are worn on the wearer’s left chest directly below the ID tapes.
Personnel can also earn ribbons, achievements, and patches through their continued service to the organization and through completing specialized training. Cloth Service Ribbons are earned for participation in noteworthy events, assignments, and units. Cloth Certification Ribbons are earned by achieving technical skills mastery, or successfully completing all requirements for certification in a specific skill, these ribbons may also be accompanied by tabs and patches worn on the shoulders of uniforms. Cloth ribbons are worn on the wearer’s right above the ID Tapes on dress uniforms. Unit specific enamel ribbons and badges are earned for participation in specialty roles within a unit, or service with an Ad-Hoc unit.
Unit specific ribbons and badges are worn on the wearer’s right below the ID tapes on dress uniforms. Finally, personnel can earn Years of Service and Deployment Bars for each 5 years of service or national/international deployment they participate in. These are worn on the sleeves of dress uniforms (Years of Service are worn on the wearer’s left sleeve, Deployment Bars on the wearer’s right sleeve). Cloth ribbons, enamel ribbons, years of service diamonds, and deployment bars are typically worn only on dress uniforms (Class B and above), but tabs and patches may be worn on all uniforms that have shoulder insignia panels.
Qualification Badges can be earned by completing all the required training and meeting the established performance benchmarks for the qualification. Many qualifications are re-assessed annually, but personnel are allowed to wear the badge of the highest qualification they achieve during their time in service. Qualification Badges are worn on the wearer’s right. Qualification Badges are typically worn only on dress uniforms (Class B and above), but may be authorized on duty or working uniforms in some circumstances.
