• 1. Meritorious Achievement

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any NJROTC cadet who distinguishes himself only by outstanding meritorious achievement or performance of a meritorious act.  Including such things as length of participation in the NJROTC unit or sustained superior performance in a leadership position.  Awarded on a case-by-case basis by the Area Manager.  SNSI NOTE:  This award is normally only given to cadets demonstrating heroic or life-saving actions and must be approved by the Area Manager.

    2. Distinguished Unit

    Awarded YEARLY to cadets in good standing who were unit members during the academic year in which the school earned the Distinguished Unit status. Awarded to only those units that demonstrated the very highest levels of performance.  SNSI NOTE:  This award is presented to NJROTC units, which are ranked in the top 30% of those within Area 8 as determined by the Area Manager.

    3. Distinguished Cadet

    Awarded YEARLY to one cadet each year, the 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.).  SNSI NOTE:  This award will normally be limited to just one NS1, NS2, NS3, and NS4, regardless of the cadet's academic year (grade).  This is basically a "Most Valuable Player" award. 

    4. Honor Cadet

    Awarded YEARLY to one cadet in each year's group with the highest overall academic achievement (GPA) in school, including the naval science courses.  SNSI NOTE:  This award will normally be limited to just one NS1, NS2, NS3, and NS4, regardless of the cadet's academic year (grade).

    5. Cadet Achievement

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who distinguishes himself 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.  SNSI NOTE:  This award comes with a very high standard and must be approved by the Area Manager.

    6. Unit Achievement

    Awarded YEARLY to cadets in good standing who were unit members during the academic year in which the school earned the Unit Achievement status as determined by the Area Manager.  Awarded only to those units that demonstrated exceptional performance but did not qualify for Distinguished Unit Status.  SNSI NOTE:  This award is presented to NJROTC units which are ranked in the top 31%-50% of those within Area 8 as determined by the Area Manager. 

    7. Aptitude Award

    Awarded YEARLY to those outstanding cadets who demonstrate an exceptional military aptitude and dedication to the NJROTC program.  SNSI NOTE:  This award is given only to THE ABSOLUTE BEST cadets and will be awarded to VERY FEW cadets.

    8. Naval Science 4 Outstanding Cadet(s)

    Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 4 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.  SNSI NOTE:  Only the very best cadets will receive this ribbon.

    9. Naval Science 3 Outstanding Cadet(s)

    Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 3 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.  SNSI NOTE:  Only the very best cadets will receive this ribbon.

    10. Naval Science 2 Outstanding Cadet(s) 

    Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 2 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.  SNSI NOTE:  Only the very best cadets will receive this ribbon.

    11. Naval Science 1 Outstanding Cadet(s)

    Awarded YEARLY to outstanding cadets in Naval Science 1 based on citizenship, academic performance, personal appearance, and conduct.  SNSI NOTE:  Only the very best cadets will receive this ribbon.

    12. Exemplary Conduct

    Awarded YEARLY to each cadet who demonstrates exemplary conduct for the school year.  SNSI NOTE:  This award will not be given to any cadet who has been assigned to Saturday School or In School Suspension during the academic year.  There should be no misconduct on buses, in class, at school functions, or with law enforcement officials.

    13. Exemplary Personal Appearance

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each cadet who displays exemplary personal appearance and has worn his uniform on all occasions required.  SNSI NOTE:  This award is given only once per semester and at AMI.

    14. Physical Fitness

    Awarded, TWICE A YEAR, to any cadet who meets or exceeds the basic physical fitness exercise requirements as outlined in chapter 5 of this manual and the Cadet Reference Manual (CRM).  SNSI NOTE:  Gold, Silver, or Bronze lamps may be worn on the ribbon depending on the level of achievement.  However, the lamp worn must reflect the MOST RECENT physical fitness ribbon.  Therefore, for example, a cadet could wear a Gold lamp one semester, a Silver lamp the next, a Gold lamp the next, and no lamp at all the next.

    15. Participation

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who has participated in three events other than routine unit activities.  SNSI NOTE:  NJROTC instructors will decide what constitutes a qualifying "participation" event.  Normally, this will include events such as parades, Military Ball, NJROTC Dances, AMI, fundraisers, NJROTC field trips, etc. 

    16. Unit Service

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who has demonstrated exemplary service and dedication to the unit as determined by the SNSI.  SNSI NOTE:  This award will generally be given to the top one-third of cadets in the unit based on the number of points earned for all events including competitions, participation, etc.  The SNSI maintains this "running list."  Points start over every April 1st.

    17. Community Service

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who distinguishes himself by dedicated and outstanding service to the community.  SNSI NOTE:  This award will normally be given only once per semester after completion of 20 or more community service hours approved by a NJROTC instructor.

    18. Academic Team Award

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet who is a member in good standing of the academic team and has participated in three or more academic competitions.  SNSI NOTE:  "Good standing" is defined as having done at least 75% of all practices or been waived by the coach.

    19. Drill Team

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each member of a drill team in good standing who has entered a competition or performed at three or more official functions.  SNSI NOTE:  "Good standing" is defined as having done at least 75% of all practices or been waived by the coach.

    20. Color Guard

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to each member of a color guard in good standing who has entered a competition or performed at three or more official functions.  SNSI NOTE:  "Good standing" is defined as having made at least 75% of all practices or been waived by the coach.  

    21. Marksmanship 

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any competition. SNSI NOTE:  "Good standing" is defined as having made at least 75% of all practices or been waived by the coach.  Additionally, cadets must have shot at least 200 points in a 3x10 or 400 points in a 3x20 competition.

    22. Orienteering

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any organized orienteering competition or who meets the orienteering qualification standards. SNSI NOTE:  "Good standing" is defined as having made at least 75% of all practices or waived by the coach.  Additionally, cadets must have completed at least one course to find all points within the permitted time.

    23. Inter-Service Competition

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to any cadet in good standing who has entered any inter-service national level competition, such as CyberPatriot, JLAB, etc.; or for any SeaPerch Competition, regardless of service sponsorship.  This ribbon cannot be awarded in addition to, or in lieu of, another team-specific ribbon.  For example, it cannot be awarded for competing in a local, area, or postal multi-service drill, academic, marksmanship, or orienteering meet.  SNSI NOTE:  "Good standing" is defined as having made at least 75% of all practices or waived by the coach.  Automatic selection is for CyberPatriot, JLAB, SeaPerch, and JROTC (not NJROTC) national championships.

    24. Recruiting

    Awarded, WHEN EARNED, to a cadet who is instrumental in the enrollment of two students in the NJROTC program. Subsequent awards are given for each additional two students enrolled. SNSI NOTE:  This award will normally only be given once per semester.  To receive this award, cadets who remain enrolled for at least one semester may certify that the awardee is the one who persuaded them to join NJROTC.  The honor system is in play.  Cadets who are selected to address middle schools on recruiting trips will automatically receive this award.

    25. Leadership Training 

    Awarded to any cadet upon satisfactory completion of Basic Leadership Training, Leadership Academy, or similar training as approved by the Area Manager.  SNSI NOTE:  BLT and LA are generally the only camps that meet the requirement, but requests for exceptions may be addressed to SNSI.

    26. Sea Cruise

    Awarded to any cadet upon completion of an at-sea cruise (vessel must cast off lines and be underway).  SNSI NOTE:  The intent is for cadets to get underway on a (current or retired) naval vessel to experience life at sea although there is some room for SNSI discretion. 
Recruiting Ribbon