Coast Guard Individual Ribbon Awards

ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY

The Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon was established on March 3, 1984, by Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral James S. Gracey.

EFFECTIVE DATES

The Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon has been in effect since March 3, 1984.

CRITERIA

The Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon is awarded to active duty members of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve, inactive duty members of the Coast Guard Reserve, or non-Coast Guard personnel who, under temporary or permanent assignment, satisfactorily complete a minimum of 12 months cumulative sea duty. For purposes of this award sea duty is defined as duty performed:

• Aboard any Coast Guard cutter 65 feet or more in length in an active status, in commission or in service; or,
• While assigned to a Fleet Training Group or Unit; or,
• Aboard certain Coast Guard and non-Coast Guard vessels or units under official Coast Guard orders.

A bronze service star three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter is authorized for each additional three years of qualifying sea duty (a silver service star of the same size denotes a sixth award).