There are several sites which discuss Auxiliary Ribbons. Here are two. Disclaimer: This information was last checked on June 13, 2006. It reflects information on the two web sites referenced below as of that date. Use your "Back" button to return from these sites.

Office of the Chief Director (G-OCX. The descriptions for each ribbon, shown in italics, are taken verbatim from this page. It does not seem to list the "Secretary's (DOT) Outstanding Unit Award" which I have from my former flotilla.

There is link to a Ribbon Checker. It does not seem to have the recent Outstanding Unit Award.

You can see the Ribbon Checker Result for the ribbons listed here.

The ribbons below are ones that seemed to be appropriate for our flotilla. They are listed in order of precedence (i.e. the order they are displayed on your uniform) as best I can tell. The Ribbon Checker does not seem to have the recent Outstanding Unit Award which was announced at a flotilla meeting in 2003. Please tell me if you know of a ribbon possessed by a flotilla member that is not listed or if there is an error on this page.

Sustained Auxiliary Service Award
This award is presented to a member contributing a documented total of 750 volunteer hours of Auxiliary service.

Secretary's (DOT) Outstanding Unit Award.
I can't find a description of this award. It is shown in the Ribbon Checker and I have the ribbon.

Bicentennial Unit Commendation. The award consists of a ribbon only, there are no miniature medals.
Only those Auxiliarists who were members during the entire period from Mar 1989 to Oct 1989 are authorized to wear the CG Bicentennial Unit Commendation. The award consists of a ribbon only; there is no miniature medal.

Coast Guard Unit Commendation. The award consists of a ribbon only, there are no miniature medals.
Auxiliarists are eligible to receive the CG Unit Commendation and the CG Meritorious Unit Commendation awards. In particular, on 1 September 2002, Admiral Thomas H. Collins authorized a ribbon of this type for Auxiliarists serving from 11 September 2001 through 1 September 2002. A Flag Officer approving authority makes these awards. To be eligible an Auxiliarist must have participated directly in at least 50% of the action in a single operational incident for which the CG unit involved received a citation for one of these awards. The operational "O" is attached when authorized. Members indicate multiple awards by adding 5/16" gold or silver stars. Specific Auxiliary units awarded the CG Unit Commendation are authorized to fly the award pennant for three years after the award and on occasions of dress or full dress thereafter.

Transportation 9-11 Ribbon.
This ribbon is awarded to an individual serving in any capacity with the DOT, merchant marines or other civilians, for an act or service that contributed to recovery from the attacks of 11 September 2001, and force protection following the attacks or efforst that directly contributed to the increased ifrrastructure security effort between 11 September 2001 and 11 September 2002. ... All personnel to include active, Reserve, Auxiliary and civilian personnel that manned or augmented for no less than 14 days, Coast Guard, DOT, FEMA and DoD command centers ... between 11 September 2001 and 11 September 2002.

Auxiliary Specialty Ribbon
This recognition is presented to an Auxiliarist who has satisfactorily completed any of the specialty courses. Auxiliarists add 3/16-inch bronze or silver stars to show completion of additional courses. This designation recognized the satisfactory completion of all six specialty courses, which entitles the Auxiliarist to wear the AUXOP device. After earning the device, Auxiliarists no longer wear the Specialty Ribbon.

Note: You have order the stars separately. Bronze or Silver is a mystery to your webmaster.

Operations Program.
This ribbon recognizes qualifications in the various operations program areas. Members who qualify as an Auxiliary crewmember, air observer, ATON verifier, CG watchstander, CG boat crewman or CG boat engineer may wear the Operations Program Ribbon. Watchstanders and boat engineers are defined as Auxiliarists who have been designated in writing by a CG unit or the Director as qualified in that position.

Examiner Program.
This ribbon recognizes qualifications in various examiner program areas. Members who qualify as a vessel examiner (VE), marine dealer visitor (MDV) or a commercial fishing vessel examiner (CFVE) may wear the Examiner Program Ribbon.

Instructor Program.
This ribbon recognizes qualification in the instructor (IT) program.

Auxiliary Membership Service Award.
This award is presented to any member who completes five cumulative years of Auxiliary membership.

Operations Service
Operations Service to CG units and missions, which includes surface operations, air operations and operational watchstanding (such as communications watchstander, OOD, manning the SAR desk, etc.) Display the operational "O" device for underway (excluding underway for training), surface mission activity (60 or more hours); or for airborne aviation mission activity (excluding training) (30 or more hours). Support for on-the-water readiness exercise does qualify as operational service. No combination of surface and air operations is allowable for this award.

Note: You have order the "O" separately! Good luck finding that mentioned elsewhere.

Vessel Examinations/Marine Dealer Visitations Service.
For Vessel Safety Checks (VSC), which includes examinations of recreational boats, personal watercraft, commercial fishing vessels and uninspected passenger vessels; or Marine Dealer Visits (MDV's), Complete sixty or more VSC\'s, or conduct sixty or more MDV\'s, or conduct a combination of VSC's, CFVE's and MDV's, which total at least 60 checks/visits. Also, the award may be earned by conducting a total of 20 commercial fishing vessel examinations.

Note: You have order the "V" separately! Good luck finding that mentioned elsewhere.

Public Education.
For instructor and/or instructor aide hours. Complete thirty or more hours of instruction in (PE or MT), or serve as and instructor\'s aid for sixty or more hours, or complete a combination of instructor hours and instructor aide hours to total at least thirty credits (one instructor hour equals one credit and one aide hour equals 0.5 a credit; for example, 20 hours as instructor equals 20 credits and 20 hours as an aide equals 10 credits, totaling 30 credits and qualifying to receive the award.

Note: You have order the "E" separately! Good luck finding that mentioned elsewhere.