Navy E Ribbon

The Battle Efficiency Ribbon, or the Navy "E" Ribbon, was established in July 1976 by Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf. The Navy "E" Ribbon denotes permanent duty on U.S. Navy ships, squadrons, or units (including construction battalions) that have won a battle efficiency competition (Battle "E") after July 1, 1974. This ribbon replaces the "E" patch previously sewn on the right sleeve of the uniform.

For each award of the Navy "E" Ribbon, one Battle "E" device is authorized for wear on the Navy "E" ribbon, up to the third award. For the fourth and all subsequent awards, the Wreathed Battle "E" device is worn, replacing the first three "E"s; no further devices are added to the ribbon. The ribbon itself is also commonly referred to as the Battle "E".

The Navy "E" is one of the very few Naval service awards that does not have a corresponding medal, meaning that when in full dress (when medals are worn), the Navy "E" is placed above the right breast pocket of the uniform instead of the left. However, when in standard uniform (no medals are worn), the ribbon is placed above the left breast pocket, along with all other citations and awards.

The "E" is also one of the few ribbons that is not an individual award. Instead, it is a unit award, issued to any serviceman or -woman that is stationed with the unit when the award is issued.

The United States Coast Guard equivalent of the Navy "E" Ribbon is the Coast Guard "E" Ribbon.

Navy E Ribbon

See also