Combat Medic Badge and Expert Field Medic Badge

[Doc Roberts]

Prior service Army Doc. I was awarded the Combat Medical Badge and earned the Expert Field Medical Badge. Would I be eligible to wear either of these devices if I switched over to the Navy reserves. From what I have read of Navy Regs, it would not be allowed but I am not real clear. As far as other Army ribbons, would they transfer as well or only the awards that are common to both, i.e. Purple Heart, MSM, etc. Any feedback would be great.

[8404]

There is some good info within this thread regarding ribbons from other branches of the military.

http://www.corpsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13715&highlight=awards+ribbons

[0311_DoC]

As far as I know you cannot wear the CMB or EFMB on the Navy uniform. We had a few Corpsman earn the EFMB while in Landstuhl Germany. they had to take it off their uniforms as soon as we left the Army Command.

[MexDoc]

Also some of the awards like the bronze star medal has to have a letter from the CNO. I was awarded one by a 2 star in the Army while on a transition team but I'm not supposed to wear it until the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) approves it. I think the CNO has to approve the CMB also.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

This FAQ from NDAWS explains the issue of CNO concurrence:
https://awards.navy.mil/awards/webdoc01.nsf/(vwDocsByID)/DL070508085930/$file/ATT1QU1R.doc

https://awards.navy.mil

One main reason for CNO concurrence is that the Army may award the Bronze Star for both combat and non-combat (admin only) related criteria. For instance, the Navy and USMC require "personal exposure to hostile action" when awarding a Bronze Star, but the Army does not.

The CNO does not need to approve the CMB, however Sailors are only authorized to wear Army badges (CIB, CMB, CAB) on their uniform while assigned to an Army command. In many (not all) of those instances the Sailor might also be wearing an Army uniform (ACU).

For the most part Navy uniform regulations and Marine Corps uniform regulations simply do not allow the wearing of Army badges.

Most Army awards will transfer over to Navy uniforms but there are several that do not. Perhaps you could be more specific in which ribbons you have questions about.

[dvldocjoe]

Things like the national defense and your rainbow ribbon (army service) will transfer. I am not sure about some of the others. My ex-wife was prior Army before going to the Navy and she had some that transfered.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

Actually the Army Service Ribbon does not transfer and may not be worn on Navy uniforms. But neither is the Air Force Training Ribbon. The basic guideline is that the Navy must have an equivalent award of its own for an award from another branch to be worn. Since the Navy does not award a boot camp ribbon to Sailors, it does not allow boot camp ribbons from other services to be worn on Navy uniforms. Additional info can be culled from Chapt 5 of the Navy Uniform Reg's

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

While not all inclusive, the following awards (ribbons) are not authorized on Navy uniforms:

Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Combat Readiness Medal
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour)
Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon
Air Force NCO Professional Military Educational Graduate Ribbon
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Expert Shot Medal
Coast Guard Commandant Letter of Commendation Ribbon
Coast Guard Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement
Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon
Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
Coast Guard Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement
Valorous Unit Award
Misc Marksmanship Awards from other branches (converts to Navy Marksmanship Award)
All State issued awards
Virtually all awards from ROTC, JROTC, Sea Cadet, and such

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

I was awarded the Combat Medical Badge ...

I forgot this tidbit... You can't wear the CMB but you should be able to get it converted to a Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) if you join the Navy. Check NDAWS for details.

[dvldocjoe]

Thank you for the corrections and additional info.