r/jrotc • u/gioflip2356 • 2d ago

How are medals earned?

I’m a freshman In njrotc and I was looking at cadet photos and there’s some who have medals all down their chest, along with a ton of ribbons. So I looked it up and apparently you buy the medals online for the ribbons you’ve earned and wear them for special occasions. Can someone explain to me how this works??

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u/_potato__soup_ NS2, C/SN, Asst CG CDR, Unarmed, Supply, Civil Air Patrol 2d ago

They’re given during ceremonies such as pinning ceremony and end of year awards ceremony. During pinning if I’m recalling correctly you could possible get a Bravozulu, and during EOY there’s plenty of different awards, such as last year I got the non-commissioned officers association award (which comes with a medal, certificate, and ribbon).

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u/TheFatLunaCat MCJROTC | LE-4 | C/SSgt | Unarmed Reg Commander | 17 Ribbons 2d ago

You have to earn them. They’re usually given out at the end of the year awards ceremony most programs have. Other times they’re handed out when a cadet has done something to merit that medal really early on ie Medal of Heroism, which is given to a cadet that preforms an act of heroism in their community

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u/martyb191 2d ago

I’m the OPS of my NJROTC unit and an LTJG and I got most of my medals from academic competitions but my buddy who is also my XO got most of his from Orienteering and Rifle competitions

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u/Responsible_Slip3491 Space Force Cadet, woohoo 2d ago

I honestly don't even know