A Drill Instructor Ribbon is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which is issued by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Marine Corps. The Drill Instructor Ribbon recognizes those service members who are trained and qualified as military instructors to new recruits during initial basic training.
Marine Corps
The U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon was created in July 1997 and recognizes those members of the United States Marine Corps who have successfully trained and qualified as Marine Corps Drill Instructors. To qualify, a Marine must hold the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 0911 (Drill Instructor) or must have served a successful tour of duty in one of the following positions:
- Recruit Training Battalion Commander, Executive Officer, S-3, or Sergeant Major.
- Recruit Training Company Commander, Series Commander, or Assistant Series Commander.
- Marine Corps Officer Candidate Company First Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant, or Platoon Commander.
- Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) First Sergeant, Battalion Gunnery Sergeant, or Class Drill Instructor (Navy AOCS has since been disestablished).
Furthermore, the duties of the Marine's billet must be executed satisfactorily for a minimum period of 20 months, for those who received their 8511 MOS before December 1996 or 30 months, for those who receive their 0911 MOS on or after 1 December 1996.
The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon is retroactively authorized to October 6, 1952. Multiple awards of the ribbon are denoted by service stars.