Awards and decorations of the state defense forces are presented to members of the state defense forces

State Defense Forces

State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...

 in addition to regular United States military decoration

Awards and decorations of the United States military

Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...

s and state National Guard military decoration

Awards and decorations of the National Guard

Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations...

s. Each of the state government

State government

A state government is the government of a subnational entity in a federal form of government, which shares political power with the federal or national government. A state government may have some level of political autonomy, or be subject to the direct control of the federal government...

s of the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 maintains a series of decorations for issuance to members of the state defense forces

State Defense Forces

State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...

, with such awards presented under the authority of the various state adjutants general and/or respective state defense force commanders.

In most states, state defense force members may wear any regular United States military decoration

Awards and decorations of the United States military

Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...

s and United States military decoration

Awards and decorations of the National Guard

Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations...

s that they may have earned while members of the National Guard and/or while in federal active duty service. The members of some state defense force may also be awarded state National Guard military decoration

Awards and decorations of the National Guard

Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular United States military decorations...

s in addition to state defense force awards while serving in a state defense force capacity. The order of precedence for the wear of the awards are: federal, state National Guard, then state defense force.

Those state defense force members who subsequently serve in the active or reserve federal forces of the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

, Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

, Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

, Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...

, or United States Air Force

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...

 (i.e., on active duty or as members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Reserves) may not continue to wear and display such decorations on a military uniform. Regulations of these federal forces allow their members to accept but not wear state National Guard awards.

The following is a list of state defense force

State Defense Forces

State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...

 decorations, as issued by each of the states and territories of the United States.

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

Alabama State Defense Force (ASDF) Awards:

• ASDF Alabama War Ribbon
• ASDF Distinguished Service Ribbon
• ASDF Meritorious Service Ribbon
• ASDF Commendation Ribbon
• ASDF Achievement Ribbon (Officer)
• ASDF Achievement Ribbon (Enlisted)
• ASDF Merit Ribbon
• ASDF Desert Shield/Storm Support Ribbon
• ASDF Disaster Readiness Ribbon
• SGT Dixie Club-Gold Ribbon
• SGT Dixie Club-Silver Ribbon
• SGT Dixie Club-Bronze Ribbon
• ASDF Service Ribbon
• ASDF Distinguished Graduate Ribbon
• ASDF Professional Development Ribbon
• ASDF Officer Training Ribbon
• ASDF Warrant Officer Training Ribbon
• ASDF NCO Training Ribbon
• ASDF C.E.R.T. Ribbon
• ASDF Recruiting Ribbon
• ASDF Super Recruiter Recruiting Ribbon
• ASDF Association Member Ribbon
• ASDF SGAUS Ribbon
• ASDF Outstanding Unit Comm. Ribbon
• SGAUS Superior Unit Citation
• MEMS Academy Unit Citation

California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

California State Military Reserve (CA SMR) Awards:

• CA SMR Meritorious Achievement Medal
• CA SMR Military History Medal
• CA SMR Training Excellence Ribbon
• CA SMR Enlisted Excellence Ribbon
• CA SMR Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
• CA SMR Professional Development Ribbon
• CA SMR Mission Qualification Ribbon
• CA SMR Emergency Training Ribbon
• CA SMR Outstanding Services Ribbon
• CA SMR Volunteer Service Ribbon
• CA SMR Drill Attendance Ribbon
• CA SMR Governor's Outstanding Unit Citation

Georgia

Georgia (U.S. state)

Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...

Georgia State Defense Force (GaSDF) Awards & Decorations:

• GaSDF Medal of Valor
• GaSDF Legion of Merit (Medal)
• GaSDF Medal of Merit
• GaSDF Distinguished Service Medal
• GaSDF Commendation Medal
• GaSDF Commendation Ribbon
• GaSDF Enlisted Member of the Year
• GaSDF Achievement Ribbon (Class 1, 2 & 3)
• GaSDF Unit Commander's Citation w/Gold Frame
• GaSDF Military Qualification Training Ribbon
• GaSDF Military Proficiency Ribbon
• GaSDF State Active Duty Ribbon
• GaSDF Emergency Services School Ribbon
• GaSDF Military Readiness Ribbon
• GaSDF Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
• GaSDF Volunteer Service Ribbon
• GaSDF Good Conduct Ribbon
• GaSDF Longevity Service Ribbon
• GaSDF Military Indoctrination Ribbon
• GaSDF Outstanding Unit Citation Ribbon W/Gold Frame

Indiana

Indiana

Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...

Indiana Guard Reserve Awards:

• Indiana Distinguished Service Cross (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
• Indiana Distinguished Service Medal (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
• Indiana Commendation Medal (National Guard & Guard Reserve)
• INGR Merit Medal
• INGR Distinguished Service Ribbon
• INGR Commendation Ribbon
• INGR Achievement Ribbon
• INGR JROTC Commendation Ribbon
• INGR Outstanding Recruiter Ribbon
• INGR JROTC Support Ribbon
• INGR Community Service Ribbon
• INGR Officer Professional Development Ribbon
• INGR NCO Professional Development Ribbon
• INGR Long Service Ribbon
• INGR Service Ribbon
• INGR Defense Service Ribbon
• INGR The Indiana Guard Reserve Association Ribbon
• INGR Superior Unit Citation
• INGR Medallion

Minnesota

Minnesota

Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...

• Minnesota Distinguished Service Medal
• Minnesota Medal for Valor
• Minnesota Medal for Merit
• Minnesota Commendation Medal
• Minnesota Good Conduct Ribbon
• Minnesota State Active Duty Ribbon
• Minnesota Distinguished Recruiting Ribbon
• Minnesota Service Ribbon

Mississippi

Mississippi

Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...

Mississippi State Guard(MSSG) Individual Awards:

• MSSG Distinguished Service Ribbon
• MSSG Meritorious Service Ribbon
• MSSG Commendation Ribbon
• MSSG Achievement Ribbon
• MSSG Award of Merit
• MSSG Longevity Service Ribbon
• MSSG Operation Desert Shield/Storm Service Ribbon
• MSSG Recruitment Ribbon
• MSSG Training Ribbon
• MSSG Association Membership Ribbon

Mississippi State Guard Unit Awards:

• MSSG Outstanding Unit Citation

New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

New York Guard (NYG) Awards:

• NYG Meritorious Service Medal
• NYG Commendation Medal
• NYG Commander's Citation
• NYG Achievement Medal
• NYG Good Conduct Medal
• NYG Operations Support Medal
• NYG Service Ribbon
• NYG Distinguished Graduate Ribbon
• NYG First Provisional Regiment Medal

In addition, certain New York State decorations may be awarded to New York Guard members, as well as to members of other state military components, i.e., NY Army National Guard, NY Air National Guard and NY Naval Militia. These include:

• NYS Medal of Valor
• NYS Conspicuous Service Medal
• NYS Meritorious Service Medal
• NYS Military Commendation Medal
• NYS Long and Faithful Service Medal
• NYS Defense of Liberty Medal
• Recruiting Medal
• NYS Aid to Civil Authority Medal
• NYS Counterdrug Service Ribbon
• Humane Service to NYS Medal
• NYS Physical Fitness Ribbon

Ohio

Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...

Ohio Military Reserve (OHMR) Awards:

• OHMR Medal of Valor - The first recipient of this medal was LTC Mitchell E. Fadem, HAZMAT Officer for the 5th MP BDE, OHMR, in 1993 when he risked his life to monitor toxic vapor clouds inside the blast area after a chemical plant exploded in Elyria, Ohio. His efforts made it possible for the safe evacuation of 6,000 people. Fadem is now a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force and served in Afghanistan in 2007 with the Combined Security Transition Command and in 2010 at the Headquarters of the International Security Assistance Forces in Kabul as a toxicologist and senior health care LNO with the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Mines. In December 2010, Fadem was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for heroism and meritorious service during his deployment to Afghanistan.
• OHMR Distinguished Service Medal
• OHMR Medal of Merit
• OHMR Purple Cross Medal
• OHMR Lifesaving Medal
• OHMR Commendation Award
• OHMR Achievement Award
• OHMR Search and Rescue Award
• OHMR Community Service Award
• OHMR Aid to Civil Authority Award
• OHMR Good Conduct Award
• OHMR Longevity Service Award
• OHMR Soldier of the Year Award
• OHMR Honor Graduate Award
• OHMR Officer Training Graduate Award
• OHMR NCO Training Graduate Award
• OHMR Basic Entry Level Training Graduate Award
• OHMR Physical Fitness Award
• OHMR Federal Service School Award
• OHMR Military Indoctrination Award
• OHMR Emergency Service Training Award
• OHMR Volunteer Service Award
• OHMR Military Award Readiness
• OHMR Recruiting Achievement Award
• OHMR Military Proficiency Award
• OHMR Outstanding Unit Citation Award
• OHMR Commanding General's Meritorious Unit Service Award

South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

South Carolina State Guard (SCSG) Awards:

• South Carolina Medal of Valor
• SCSG Distinguished Service Medal
• SCSG Medal of Merit
• SCSG Meritorious Service Medal
• SCSG Commendation Medal
• SCSG Home Defense Achievement Ribbon
• SCSG Individual Achievement Ribbon
• SCSG Good Conduct Ribbon
• SCSG Longevity Service Medal
• SCSG Golden Anniversary Ribbon
• SCSG Federal Service School Ribbon
• SCSG Humanitarian Service Ribbon
• SCSG Service Ribbon
• SCSG Emergency Service Training Ribbon
• SCSG Volunteer Service Ribbon
• SCSG Honors Detail Service Ribbon
• SCSG Military Readiness Ribbon
• SCSG Recruiting Achievement Ribbon
• SCSG Military Proficiency Ribbon
• South Carolina Governor's Unit Citation
• SCSG Outstanding Unit Citation
• SCSG Unit Achievement Award

Texas

Texas

Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...

Texas National Guard Awards (Awardable to Texas State Guard members:)

• Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
• Texas Medal of Valor
  Texas Medal of Valor
  The Texas Medal of Valor is the second highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Texas Military Forces. This includes Air National Guard, Army National Guard, and State Guard...
  
  
• Texas Purple Heart
• Texas Superior Service Medal
• Texas Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal
  Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal
  The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal is an award within the Texas Military Forces, within the United States Armed Forces.-Eligibility:The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal may only awarded to members of the Texas Military Forces or another officially organized state militia.-Use:Typically,...
  
  
• Texas Outstanding Service Medal
• Texas Medal of Merit (also awarded with "V" for valor)
• Texas Adjutant General's Individual Award
• Texas Humanitarian Service Medal
• Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal
• Texas Faithful Service Medal

Texas State Guard (TXSG) Awards:

• TXSG Meritorious Service Ribbon
• TXSG Commanding General’s Individual Award Ribbon
• TXSG Recruiting Ribbon
• TXSG Officer Professional Development Ribbon
• TXSG NCO Professional Development Ribbon
• TXSG Enlisted Personnel Basic Training Ribbon
• TXSG Physical Fitness Ribbon
• TXSG 3 Year Service Medal

Texas State Guard Unit Awards:

• Texas Governor's Unit Citation
• TXSG Meritorious Unit Award
• TXSG Organizational Excellence Award

Virginia

Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...

• Virginia Army National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon
• Life Saving Medal
• Distinguished Service Ribbon
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Commendation Medal
• Military Commendation Certificate Ribbon
• Active Service Medal
• VADF Service Medal
• Community Service Ribbon
• Service Medal
• Response Management Staff College Completion Ribbon
• Basic Officer Qualification Course Completion Ribbon (Replaced by ALC Ribbon)
• Operational Staff-Command, Control & Communications Course Ribbon
• Advance Leaders Course Completion Ribbon
• Company Leaders Course Completion Ribbon
• Recruiting Ribbon
• State Guard Association of the United States Longevity Ribbon
• State Guard Association of the United States Membership Ribbon

External links

• VAJoe.com - State Defense Force Discussion Forum
• State Guard Association of the United States