Awards and decorations of the State Defense Forces

Awards and decorations of the state defense forces are presented to members of the state defense forces in addition to regular United States military decorations and state National Guard military decorations. Each of the state governments of the United States maintains a series of decorations for issuance to members of the state defense forces, with such awards presented under the authority of the various state adjutants general and/or respective state defense force commanders.

In most states, state defense force members may wear any regular United States military decorations and United States National Guard decorations that they may have earned while members of the National Guard and/or while in federal active duty service. The members of some state defense force may also be awarded state National Guard military decorations in addition to state defense force awards while serving in a state defense force capacity. The order of precedence for the wear of the awards are: federal, state National Guard, then state defense force.

Those state defense force members who subsequently serve in the active or reserve federal forces of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or United States Air Force (i.e., on active duty or as members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Reserves) may not continue to wear and display such decorations on a military uniform. Regulations of these federal forces allow their members to accept but not wear state National Guard awards.

The following is a list of state defense force decorations, as issued by each of the states and territories of the United States.

Alabama

Alabama State Defense Force (ASDF) Awards:^[1]

ASDF Alabama War Ribbon
ASDF Distinguished Service Ribbon
ASDF Meritorious Service Ribbon
ASDF Commendation Ribbon
ASDF Achievement Ribbon (Officer)
ASDF Achievement Ribbon (Enlisted)
ASDF Merit Ribbon
ASDF Desert Shield/Storm Support Ribbon
ASDF Disaster Readiness Ribbon
SGT Dixie Club-Gold Ribbon
SGT Dixie Club-Silver Ribbon
SGT Dixie Club-Bronze Ribbon
ASDF Service Ribbon
ASDF Distinguished Graduate Ribbon
ASDF Professional Development Ribbon
ASDF Officer Training Ribbon
ASDF Warrant Officer Training Ribbon
ASDF NCO Training Ribbon
ASDF C.E.R.T. Ribbon
ASDF Recruiting Ribbon
ASDF Super Recruiter Recruiting Ribbon
ASDF Association Member Ribbon
State Guard Association of the US (SGAUS) Membership Ribbon
ASDF Outstanding Unit Comm. Ribbon
SGAUS Superior Unit Citation
MEMS Academy Unit Citation (obsolete; no longer used)

Alaska

Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) Awards and Decorations

Alaska Decoration of Honor
Alaska Heroism Medal
Alaska Distinguished Service Medal
Alaska Legion of Merit
Alaska Meritorious Service Medal
Alaska Air Medal
Alaska Commendation Medal
Alaska Achievement Medal
Alaska Humanitarian Service Medal
Alaska State Service Medal
Alaska Community Service Medal
Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon
Alaska Marksmanship Medal
Alaska Homeland Security Medal
Alaska Recruiting Ribbon
Alaska State Partnership Program Ribbon
Alaska Cold War Victory Ribbon
Alaska Territorial Guard Medal
Alaska State Defense Force Commendation Medal
Alaska State Defense Force Achievement Medal
Alaska State Defense Force State Activation Medal
Alaska State Defense Force Service Medal
Alaska State Defense Force Training Achievement Ribbon
Alaska State Defense Force Good Conduct (formerly Drill Attendance) Ribbon
State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Longevity Ribbon
State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Professional Development Ribbon
State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Membership Ribbon

 ALASKA UNIT CITATIONS:

Alaska Governor's Distinguished Unit Citation
SGAUS Meritorious Unit Citation (awarded 2014)
SGAUS Superior Unit Citation (awarded 1998)

California

California State Guard (formerly State Military Reserve) (CASG) Awards:^[2]

CA SMR Military History Medal
CA SMR Training Excellence Ribbon
CA SMR Enlisted Excellence Ribbon
CA SMR Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
CA SMR Professional Development Ribbon
CA SMR Mission Qualification Ribbon
CA SMR Emergency Training Ribbon
CA SMR Outstanding Services Ribbon
CA SMR Volunteer Service Ribbon
CA SMR Drill Attendance Ribbon
CA SMR Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation

Georgia

Georgia State Defense Force (GaSDF) Awards & Decorations:^[3]

GaSDF Medal of Valor
GaSDF Legion of Merit (Medal)
GaSDF Medal of Merit
GaSDF Distinguished Service Medal
GaSDF Commendation Medal
GaSDF Enlisted Member of the Year
GaSDF Achievement Ribbon (Class 1, 2 & 3)
GaSDF Military Qualification Training Ribbon
GaSDF Military Proficiency Ribbon
GaSDF State Active Duty Ribbon
GaSDF Emergency Services School Ribbon
GaSDF Military Readiness Ribbon
GaSDF Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
GaSDF Volunteer Service Ribbon
GaSDF Good Conduct Ribbon
GaSDF Longevity Service Ribbon
GaSDF Military Indoctrination Ribbon
GaSDF Unit Commander's Citation w/Gold Frame
GaSDF Outstanding Unit Citation Ribbon W/Gold Frame

Indiana

Indiana Guard Reserve Awards:^[4]

Indiana Distinguished Service Cross (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
Indiana Distinguished Service Medal (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
Indiana Commendation Medal (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
Indiana Homeland Defense Ribbon
Indiana Emergency Service Ribbon
Indiana Funeral Honors Ribbon
INGR Merit Medal
INGR Distinguished Service Ribbon
INGR Commendation Ribbon
INGR Achievement Ribbon
INGR JROTC Commendation Ribbon
INGR Outstanding Recruiter Ribbon
INGR JROTC Support Ribbon
INGR Community Service Ribbon
INGR Search and Rescue Ribbon
INGR C.E.R.T. Ribbon
INGR Emergency Management Specialist Ribbon
INGR Officer Professional Development Ribbon
INGR NCO Professional Development Ribbon
INGR Physical Fitness Ribbon
INGR 25 Year Service Ribbon
INGR Long Service Ribbon
INGR Service Ribbon
INGR Defense Service Ribbon
INGR The Indiana Guard Reserve Association Ribbon
INGR Superior Unit Citation
INGR Medallion

Maryland

Maryland State Defense Force (MDDF) Awards & Decorations:^[5]^[6]

The State Of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross for Valor
The State Of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross
State of Maryland Meritorious Service Medal
State Of Maryland Commendation Medal
The Maryland Meritorious Civilian Service Medal
Maryland National Guard Outstanding Unit Ribbon
The Adjutant General's Special Recognition Ribbon
Maryland Military Department Emergency Service Medal
The Maryland National Guard Recruiting Medal
The Maryland Military Department Overseas Service Ribbon
State Of Maryland State Service Medal
The Maryland Defense Force Meritorious Service Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Commendation Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Humanitarian Service Medal
The Maryland Defense Force Honorable Service Ribbon (Withdrawn from the MDDF Awards Program effective 12 SEPT 2015)
The Maryland Defense Force Achievement Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Aid To Civil Authority Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Community Service Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Community Emergency Response Team Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Professional Development Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Initial Entry Training Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Recruiting Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Physical Fitness Ribbon
The Maryland Defense Force Membership Ribbon
Maryland State Guard Association MDDF Soldier of the Year Ribbon
Maryland State Guard Association Militia Medal w/Bronze Star

Massachusetts

Mass Defense Service Ribbon
Mass Defense Expeditionary Medal

Mississippi

Mississippi State Guard (MSSG) Individual Awards:^[7]

MSSG Distinguished Service Ribbon
MSSG Meritorious Service Ribbon
MSSG Commendation Ribbon
MSSG Achievement Ribbon
MSSG Award of Merit
MSSG Longevity Service Ribbon
MSSG Operation Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon
MSSG Recruitment Ribbon
MSSG Training Ribbon
MSSG Association Membership Ribbon

Mississippi State Guard Unit Awards:^[7]

MSSG Outstanding Unit Citation

New Mexico

New Mexico State Guard (NMSG) Awards:^{[citation needed]}

New Mexico State Guard Commendation Medal
New Mexico State Guard Achievement Medal
New Mexico State Guard Cold War Victory Medal
New Mexico State Guard Emergency Service Ribbon
New Mexico State Guard Service Ribbon
New Mexico State Guard Professional Development Ribbon
New Mexico State Guard Superior Unit Award
New Mexico State Guard Unit Citation

New York

New York Guard (NYG) Awards:^[8]

NYG Commander's Citation
NYG Achievement Medal
NYG Good Conduct Medal
NYG Operations Support Medal
NYG Service Ribbon
NYG Distinguished Graduate Ribbon
NYG First Provisional Regiment Medal

In addition, certain New York State decorations may be awarded to New York Guard members, as well as to members of other state military components, i.e., NY Army National Guard, NY Air National Guard and NY Naval Militia. These include:^[8]

NYS Medal of Valor
NYS Conspicuous Service Medal
NYS Meritorious Service Medal
NYS Military Commendation Medal
NYS Long and Faithful Service Medal
NYS Defense of Liberty Medal
Recruiting Medal
New York Aid to Civil Authority Medal
New York Counterdrug Service Ribbon
Humane Service to NYS Medal
NYS Physical Fitness Ribbon

Ohio

Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR) Awards:^[9]^[10]

OHMR Medal of Valor - The first recipient of this medal was LTC Mitchell E. Fadem, HAZMAT Officer for the 5th MP BDE, OHMR, in 1993 when he risked his life to monitor toxic vapor clouds inside the blast area after a chemical plant exploded in Elyria, Ohio. His efforts made it possible for the safe evacuation of 6,000 people. Fadem is now a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force and served in Afghanistan in 2007 with the Combined Security Transition Command and in 2010 at the Headquarters of the International Security Assistance Forces in Kabul as a toxicologist and senior health care LNO with the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Mines. In December 2010, Fadem was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroism^{[citation needed]} and meritorious service during his deployment to Afghanistan.
OHMR Distinguished Service Medal
OHMR Medal of Merit
OHMR Purple Cross Medal
OHMR Lifesaving Medal
OHMR Commendation Award
OHMR Achievement Award
OHMR Search and Rescue Award
OHMR Community Service Award
OHMR Aid to Civil Authority Award
OHMR Good Conduct Award
OHMR Longevity Service Award
OHMR Soldier of the Year Award
OHMR Honor Graduate Award
OHMR Officer Training Graduate Award
OHMR NCO Training Graduate Award
OHMR Basic Entry Level Training Graduate Award
OHMR Physical Fitness Award
OHMR Federal Service School Award
OHMR Military Indoctrination Award
OHMR Emergency Service Training Award
OHMR Volunteer Service Award
OHMR Military Award Readiness
OHMR Recruiting Achievement Award
OHMR Military Proficiency Award
State Guard Association of the United States Membership Ribbon
State Guard Association of Ohio Member Ribbon

Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR) Unit Awards:

OHMR Outstanding Unit Citation Award
OHMR Commanding General's Meritorious Unit Service Award

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Bronze service medal^[11]
Rhode Island Militia Meritorious Service Medal
Rhode Island Militia Service Medal

South Carolina

South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) Awards:^[12]

South Carolina Medal of Valor
SCSG Distinguished Service Medal
SCSG Medal of Merit
SCSG Meritorious Service Medal
SCSG Commendation Medal
SCSG Home Defense Achievement Ribbon (not currently listed as an authorized award in SCSGR 672–1)
SCSG Individual Achievement Ribbon
SCSG Good Conduct Ribbon
SCSG Longevity Service Medal
SCSG Golden Anniversary Ribbon
SCSG Federal Service School Ribbon
SCSG Humanitarian Service Ribbon
SCSG Service Ribbon
SCSG Emergency Service Training Ribbon
SCSG Volunteer Service Ribbon
SCSG Honors Detail Service Ribbon
SCSG Military Readiness Ribbon
SCSG Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
SCSG Military Proficiency Ribbon
South Carolina Governor's Unit Citation
SCSG Outstanding Unit Citation
SCSG Unit Achievement Award

Tennessee

Tennessee State Guard (TNSG) Individual Awards:^[13]

TNSG Valor Ribbon
TNSG Alvin C. York Ribbon
TNSG Distinguished Service Ribbon
TNSG Meritorious Service Ribbon
TNSG Com. Gen. Letter of Commendation Ribbon
TNSG Commendation Ribbon
TNSG Wound Ribbon
TNSG Life Saving Ribbon
TNSG Officer Achievement Ribbon
TNSG Enlisted Achievement Ribbon
TNSG TN Defense Service Ribbon
TNSG Search & Rescue Ribbon
TNSG Aid to Civil Authority Ribbon
TNSG Operation Desert Storm/Shield Ribbon
TNSG Operation Enduring Freedom Ribbon
TNSG Operation Task Force Volunteer Ribbon
TNSG Community Volunteer Service Ribbon
TNSG Soldier of the Year Ribbon
TNSG Good Conduct Ribbon
TNSG Officer Training
TNSG NCO Training Ribbon
TNSG Basic Entry Level Training
TNSG Chaplain's Ribbon
TNSG Volunteer Service Ribbon
TNSG Recruitment Achievement Ribbon
TNSG Recruiter's Ribbon
TNSG Military Readiness Ribbon
TNSG Service Ribbon

Texas

Texas National Guard Awards ^[14] (Awardable to Texas State Guard members:)

Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
Texas Medal of Valor
Texas Purple Heart Medal
Texas Superior Service Medal
Texas Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal
Texas Outstanding Service Medal
Texas Medal of Merit (also awarded with "V" for valor)
Texas Cold War Victory Medal
Texas Adjutant General's Individual Award
Texas Humanitarian Service Ribbon
Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal
Texas Faithful Service Medal

Texas State Guard (TXSG) Awards:

Texas State Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon
Texas State Guard Commanding General's Individual Award Ribbon
Texas State Guard Recruiting Ribbon
Texas State Guard Officer Professional Development Ribbon
Texas State Guard NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Texas State Guard Enlisted Personnel Basic Training Ribbon
Texas State Guard Physical Fitness Ribbon
Texas State Guard Service Medal

Texas State Guard Unit Awards:

Texas Governor's Unit Citation
Texas State Guard Meritorious Unit Award
Texas State Guard Organizational Excellence Award

Vermont

Vermont State Guard awards:^[15]

Vermont Military Humanitarian Service Medal

Virginia

The Virginia Defense Force awards, or has previously awarded, the following awards and decorations:^[16]

Life Saving Medal (LSM)
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)
Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
Commendation Medal (CM)
Achievement Medal (AM)
Active Service Ribbon (ASR)
VDF Service Ribbon (VDFSR)
Community Service Ribbon (CSR)
Service Ribbon (SR)
Recruiting and Retention Ribbon (RRR)
Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon (NCODR) (obsolete)
Response Management Staff College Completion Ribbon (obsolete)
Operational Staff, Command, Control & Communications Course Ribbon (OSC3R) (obsolete)
Advanced Leader Course Ribbon (ALCR) (obsolete)
Company Leader Course Ribbon (CLCR) (obsolete)
State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Longevity Ribbon
State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Professional Development Ribbon
State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Membership Ribbon
VDF Unit Readiness Citation (Dead Eye)