Boot camp's top graduates are about to get a new ribbon. A new special uniform ribbon for top graduates of Navy Recruit Training.
Right now, e Every sailor graduating from Navy Recruit Training boot camp receives the National Defense Service Ribbon. Now, a As many as three percent of each weekly graduating class sailors will also now earn a new an additional uniform ribbon: —be awarded a second ribbon that's just created -- the new Navy Basic Military Training Recruit Honor Graduate ribbon.
"RTC recognizes multiple top performing recruits at graduation, but now the recognition is outwardly visible on an honoree's uniform," said Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans in a statement. , who Evans commands Navy Service Training Command, in charge of which oversees all Navy officer and enlisted accession training except for the Naval Academy in a released statement. "Wearing of the Honor Grad Ribbon will be a visible sign to peers and superiors at the recipient's future duty stations that the member demonstrated extraordinary excellence and leadership potential during Basic Military Training and is capable of accelerated and increased leadership positions within the Fleet."
The award is effective immediately. and t The first 15 honor grads will be awarded their ribbons Aug. 20 and will be able to can wear them when when they graduate on Aug 21.
But i If you were a past honor graduate, don’t go out and buy one — there are no retroactive awards.
Navy Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus approved the award on Aug. 18, details of which were released the same day in ALNAV message 063/15.
According to a press release, the award was created "to reward recruits for their superb performance during basic military training," the release said. "The Honor Graduate Ribbon will provide a physical recognition of the sailor's outstanding achievements in academics, physical fitness, recruit leadership and commitment to the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment."
According to the rules, outlined in the message no more than three percent of the graduates from each weekly training group will get the honor grad nod. be designated as honor graduates.
The ribbon will rank 83rd in the Navy's award order of precedence, just below the Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon and above the Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon. For comparison, the National Defense Service MedalRibbon ranks 62nd on that list.
The first honored Honor Recruits are:
SR JAMIE L. MURRAY, DIV 275, KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
SR MATTHEW P. JONES, DIV 276, DENVER, COLORADO
SR BRITTANY M. WALKER, DIV 277, AUSTIN, TEXAS
SR RENATA Y. CHOI, DIV 278, BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA
SR CARLIN E. HATCHER, DIV 279, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
SR RICHARD M. CASSUBE III, DIV 280, ROY, WASHINGTON
SR STEPHEN E. MCGAHEY, DIV 281, UPLAND, INDIANA
SR ALLISON A. RIVERA-MEDINA, DIV 282, YONKERS, NEW YORK
SR GARRETT M. FIRESTONE, DIV 941, YUMA, ARIZONA
SR JOSEPH V. AGBINGPADUA, DIV 281, MISSION HILLS, CALIFORNIA
SR JEREMY J. CRYER, DIV 279, GILBERT, ARIZONA
SR HUNTER D. MORROW, DIV 281, CHEROKEE, IOWA
SR BETHANY M. VIKOWSKI, DIV 279, MEDINA, OHIO
SR TIMOTHY A. SEYBOLD, DIV 281, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
SR JAMES D. BELL III, DIV 275, FREEPORT, ILLINOIS
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the National Defense Service Medal.
Mark D. Faram is a former reporter for Navy Times. He was a senior writer covering personnel, cultural and historical issues. A nine-year active duty Navy veteran, Faram served from 1978 to 1987 as a Navy Diver and photographer.
