Appurtenances are devices affixed to service or suspension ribbons. They are worn to denote an additional award, participation in a specific event, or some other distinguishing characteristic of an award. The following appurtenances are authorized for wear on decorations, medals, ribbons, and other awards, when authorized by appropriate authority. This doesn't list all of them, please see appropriate regulations for further guidance.
The Bronze Oak Leaf clusters are worn to denote award of a second and succeeding awards of decoration (other than the Air Medal), the Army Reserve Achievement Medal, and unit awards. A Silver Oak Leaf clusters is worn in lieu of fie bronze oak leaf clusters. A maximum of four oak leaf clusters may be worn on a single ribbon; a maximum of three oak leaf clusters may be worn with the "V" device on a single ribbon, for a total of four devices on the ribbon. If the number of authorized oak leaf clusters exceeds the maximum authorized, then a second ribbon is worn to the wearer's left of the first ribbon.
The "V" device is worn to denote an award authorized for acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy. The "V" device is authorized for wear on the Air Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Not more than one "V" device is worn on a ribbon.
Arabic numerals are worn to denote second and succeeding awards of the Air Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Multinational Force and Observers Medal, and with succeeding awards of the "M" device with the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Arabic numerals are worn on the NCO Professional Development Ribbon to denote the highest level of NCO development.
Service stars are worn to denote an additional award or service in a named campaign. A silver service star is worn in lieu of five bronze service stars; it is worn to the wearer's right of a bronze service star and to the left of an arrowhead. Additional service stars are worn side by side, each with one point upward. The bronze service star is affixed to the Parachutist Badge and the Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge to denote participation in a combat parachute jump.
Unique clasps are worn on the following medals to signify second and subsequent award such as, The Good Conduct Medal.
Wear and Appearance of Appurtenances (Ribbon Devices) is IAW with AR 670-1, DA PAM 670-1 and AR 600-8-22. Please see for additional information on authority to wear of appurtenances.
 |
 |
 |