NJROTC Awards & Ribbons

Awards have the purpose of recognizing and rewarding cadets for their meritorious or outstanding acts or services, which are above and beyond that normally expected of them. NJROTC-sponsored awards are presented to cadets based on the above criteria and in accordance with the guidelines listed below.

The following ribbons are worn by cadets to show others the awards they have earned are. They are listed in their order of precedence, and you can see a picture of each one by clicking on the name of the award. Finally, at the bottom of the page is a link that will assist cadets in determining how to mount the ribbons they receive

Listed in Order by Precedence

Meritorious Achievement - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any NJROTC cadet who distinguishes him/herself by outstanding meritorious achievement. Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the area manager.

Distinguished Unit - Awarded YEARLY to cadets who were unit members during the academic year in which the school earned Distinguished Unit status. Awarded only to 30 percent of the NJROTC Units in the program.

Distinguished Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to one cadet in each year group with the highest combined average for overall scholastic standing and aptitude in NJROTC unit activities (includes academics, homework, physical fitness, community service, drill, etc.)

Honor Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to one cadet in each year group with the highest overall academic achievement (GPA) in school, including naval science courses.

Cadet Achievement - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who distinguishes him/herself by outstanding achievement or sustained superior performance. The cadet must exhibit exceptional military aptitude and dedication to the program as well as overall excellence in all facets of NJROTC.  Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the area manager.

Aptitude - Awarded YEARLY to those outstanding cadets who demonstrate an exceptional military aptitude and dedication to the NJROTC program.

NS IV Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 4 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance and conduct.

NS III Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 3 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance and conduct.

NS II Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 2 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance and conduct.

NS I Outstanding Cadet - Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 1 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance and conduct.

Exemplary Conduct - Awarded YEARLY to each cadet who demonstrates exemplary conduct for the year.

Academic Award - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each cadet who has met any of the following academic award criteria:

A. Awarded once annually upon completion of the minimum requirement, to any cadet who attains school honor roll status equal to 50 percent or more of the academic school year (need not be sequential) The first award is the ribbon with a bronze lamp. Subsequent awards are as follows:

2nd Award - Silver Lamp
3rd Award - Gold lamp
4th Award - Gold Anchor

B. Academic Team -Awarded once annually upon completion of the minimum requirement, to any cadet who is a member in good standing of the Academic team and has participated in three or more competitions. The first award is the ribbon with a gold torch. Subsequent awards are as follows:

2nd Award - Bronze Star
3rd Award - Silver Star
4th Award - Gold Star

C. When both the honor roll and academic team awards have been earned, the torch and the lamp are positioned side-by-side on the ribbon, with the lamp on the wearers right. Subsequent award stars are worn outboard of the gold torch.

Exemplary Personal Appearance - Awarded WHEN EARNED to each cadet who displays exemplary personal appearance and has worn his/her uniform on all occasions required.

Physical Fitness - Awarded TWICE A YEAR to any cadet who meets or exceeds the basic physical fitness requirements outlined in Chapter 3 on page 3-7 of the NJROTC Field Manual.

Participation - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who has participated in three activities other than routine unit activities.

Unit Service - Awarded, WHEN EARNED to any cadet who has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to the unit as determined by the NSI.

Community Service - Awarded, WHEN EARNED to any cadet in good standing who distinguishes him/herself by  dedicated and outstanding service to the community.

Drill Team - Awarded WHEN EARNED to each member of a drill team in good standing, who has entered competition or performed at three or more official functions

Color Guard - Awarded WHEN EARNED to each member of a color guard in good standing who has entered competition or performed at three or more official functions.

Pistol/Rifle Team - Awarded WHEN EARNED to any cadet in good standing who has entered any competition

Orienteering - Awarded WHEN EARNED,  to any cadet in good standing who has entered any organized orienteering competition, or who meets the orienteering standards listed on pages 15-18/19 of the NJROTC Field Manual.

Recruiting - Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to a cadet who is instrumental in the enrollment of two students in the NJROTC program. Subsequent awards are given when two additional students are enrolled.

Mini-Boot Camp - Awarded to any cadet upon satisfactory completion of mini-bootcamp, Leadership Academy, or similar training as approved by the area manager.

Sea Cruise - Awarded to any cadet upon completion of an at-sea cruise (vessel must be cast off lines and be underway).

Ribbon Checker - Check here to see if your ribbons are correctly placed.