Federal Ribbon Awards – Air Force Individual Ribbon Awards

ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY

The Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon was established on February 21, 1968, by Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown.

EFFECTIVE DATES

Award of the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon is retroactive to June of 1970.

CRITERIA

The Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon is awarded to enlisted members of the Air Force nominated by their respective major commands, separate operating agencies, or direct reporting units for competition in the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year program, which is sponsored by the Air Force Association.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon is worn after the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal and before the Air Force Recognition Ribbon.

RESTRICTIONS

This ribbon may not be worn on the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard uniforms.

DEVICES

• Additional awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters.
• The twelve members actually selected as the Air Force Outstanding Airmen of the Year wear a bronze service star three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter.