thumb|200px|A Coast Guard recruiter wearing the Recruiting Badge with Wreath on the Winter Dress Blue uniform
The United States uniformed services issue a variety of decorations to personnel who have performed recruitment duties as service recruiters. Recruiter badges are issued by every branch of the U.S. uniformed services except for the United States Marine Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. All services issue a ribbon to personnel who have served as recruiters, except the United States Army. As of 2023, the U.S. Army issues the "Army Recruiting Ribbon" to all soldiers that make referrals that result in an enlistment, not explicitly to soldiers that serve as recruiters.
U.S. Army
Badges
U.S. Army recruiter badges are presented to active and reserve Army personnel who are assigned to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC). The Basic Recruiter Identification Badge is a silver crest that incorporates an eagle with raised wings straddling a flaming torch surrounded by a green banner with the words "U.S. Army Recruiter." Army Recruiters can compete for the Gold Recruiter Badge which is a gold variant of the Basic Recruiter Identification Badge and work towards qualifying for the Master Recruiter Badge.
All Army personnel that graduate from the Army Recruiter Course (ARC) or are assigned to USAREC are authorized to wear the Basic Recruiter Identification Badge. However, only those ARC graduates who have satisfied specific recruiting goals are authorized to wear the Basic Recruiter Identification Badge as a permanent award. The Gold Recruiter Badge is awarded when a recruiter has achieved 2,400 production points while assigned as a recruiter. The Master Recruiter Badge is earned in the same manner as the Army's Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Expert Soldier Badge whereby the recruiter must pass a series of tests and recruiting requirements in additional to holding the rank of a non-commissioned officer, warrant officer, or officer.
Prior to the establishment of the Master Recruiter Badge in September 2011, Army Recruiters could earn up to three gold achievement stars for their Basic Recruiter Identification Badge, the Gold Recruiter Badge with up to three sapphire achievement stars, the Army Recruiter Ring, and the Glenn E. Morrell Medallion, respectively, as symbols of successive achievements in recruiting.
Due to the stigma that existed with the U.S. Army shortly after the Vietnam War, the Army's Surgeon General requested a unique recruiter badge be authorized for wear by Army medical recruiters to help distinguished them from regular Army recruiters at recruiting events. In November 1991, the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel approved the creation of the Army Medical Department Recruiter Identification Badge which was in use until June 2001 when it was replaced by the Army Recruiter Identification Badges. This badge was authorized for wear in the same manner as the Army Reserve Recruiter Identification Badge. However, this badge replaced the Distinctive Unit Insignia on the black pull-over sweater when worn by Army medical recruiters.
thumb|460px|right|ARNG Recruiting and Retention Badges (left to right: Basic, Senior, and Expert)
Recruiters of the Army National Guard (ARNG) wear distinct Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badges which depicts the Minuteman in the center of the badge. The Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badges are awarded in three degrees (basic, senior, and expert). The basic badge is unique in its design while the senior and expert badges are similar in appearance with the expert badge displaying the words "Peritus" in a gold arch at the top of the badge. The senior and expert badges can be modified to reflect specific recruiting awards, specifically the "Master 7" and "Director's 54" awards. On the senior and expert badges, raised gold numerals "7" or "54" are placed inside the raised hexagon at the top of the badge.
In addition to the modifications that are made to a recruiter's senior or expert badge, those Army National Guard Recruiters that earn the Director's 54 award are also presented a special ring for their recruiting achievement.
435px|left|thumb|Former ARNG Recruiting and Retention Badges (left to right: Basic, Senior, and Master)
On 12 May 2008, the design of the Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badges changed to what you see above. Prior to this change, these badges were simpler in design with a silver (basic), gold (senior), and gold with wreath (master) versions. As with the new design, these badges incorporated the Minutemen prominently in the center surrounded by the words "ARMY NATIONAL GUARD RECRUITING AND RETENTION." Previous versions of these badges used to have to words "ARMY NATIONAL GUARD RECRUITER" but remained basically unchanged since their introduction in the mid-1970s. The master version had a gold scrawl at the bottom of the wreath where the "Master 7" or "Chief's 54" (now known as the Director's 54) awards can be denoted.
According to U.S. Army Pamphlet 670–1, the basic and senior versions of the Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Badge are temporary badges that must be surrendered upon the completion of a soldier's recruiting assignment. The expert version of this badge is awarded to National Guard soldiers as a permanent award. However, Army National Guard Regulation 601-1 states that all three badges are permanent awards that may be worn on the Army uniform regardless of duty station.
U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force
Badges
The United States Air Force's Basic Recruiter Badge is authorized for wear by all personnel who are assigned to active duty Air Force recruiting stations. The badge is worn as a decoration centered on the left uniform pocket for males and centered on the right side of the uniform above the nameplate for females. Those recruiters who have completed certification as recruiters earn the Certified Recruiter Badge, which is identical to the Basic Recruiter Badge but has a blue ring that surrounds its perimeter. Depending on the recruiter's personal achievement, the recruiter can earn a Silver Recruiter Badge (badge surrounded with silver wreath) or Gold Recruiter Badge (badge surrounded with gold wreath), which is the highest award a recruiter can achieve. Also Air Force recruiters can earn the Senior Recruiter Badge, Master Recruiter Badge, or Command (Cmd) Master Recruiter Badge. The Senior Recruiter Badge is identical to the Silver Recruiter Badge but has a white star at the top of the wreath with a numerical designation denoting the number of times the senior recruiter has earned a Silver Recruiter Badge. The Master Recruiter Badge looks similar to the Senior Recruiter Badge but has a distinctive wreath atop the badge with a large three-dimensional (3D) silver nautical star set in a blue background. The Command Master Recruiter Badge is the same as the Master Recruiter Badge except the large 3D silver nautical star is replaced with a large 3D gold nautical star.
Recruiters earning their fourth silver wreath also earn the U.S. Air Force Silver Recruiter Ring while those earning the gold wreath receive the U.S. Air Force Gold Recruiter Ring.
An earned AFRC recruiting service badge is authorized for permanent wear by Airmen with an 8R special duty identifier in their records.
An earned ANG recruiting service badge is authorized for permanent wear by Airmen with an 8R special duty identifier in their records.thumb|Developmental Special Duty Ribbon (USAF & USSF)Prior to the creation of the Special Duty ribbon, the Air Force Recruiter Ribbon was established by order of the Secretary of the Air Force on June 21, 2000. It was worth 2 points in the Weighted Airmen Promotion System at one point, and was declared obsolete in 2014. Personnel graduating from the Air Force Recruiting School had worn the Air Force Recruiter Ribbon immediately provided that the service member is serving in a United States Air Force Command. After thirty six months of recruiting duty, the award was awarded permanently providing the service member's tour as a recruiter has been free of disciplinary action.
Additional awards of the Air Force Recruiter Ribbon were denoted by oak leaf clusters, and was carried on to the Special Duty ribbon, and the award was retroactive to any member of the Air Force who performed thirty six months or more as an Air Force recruiter, provided that the service member was on active duty after June 2000.
U.S. Navy
Badges
600px|border|right|U.S. Navy Recruiting Command Badges
The U.S. Navy Recruiting Command Badge is worn by all Navy personnel while assigned to duty with the Navy Recruiting Command. Excellent performance, meeting criteria set by Commanding Officer Navy Recruiting Command, is acknowledged with the addition of a gold metallic wreath, called the "Gold Wreath Award," that surrounds the badge. Subsequent awards of excellence are denoted with 5/16 inch silver stars at the bottom of the wreath. Once a recruiter has achieved their 5th award, the silver stars are replaced with a gold star. Once a recruiter has achieved their 10th award, the wreath is upgraded with a gold scroll that's incorporated into the top of the wreath with the word "Excellence" embossed on the scroll. Subsequent achievements in excellence are denoted with the appropriate silver and/or gold star(s) at the bottom of the wreath. This progression continues using a large gold star on top of the scroll to signify the 20th award, a large gold star with wreath for the 25th, and two large gold stars and wreaths for the 30th. Silver and gold stars at the bottom of the wreath are used to signify awards 31 through 39 and four large gold stars, two with wreaths on top of the badge, are used to denote the 40th award. A Navy recruiter can earn up to 49 consecutive gold wreath awards for achievements in recruiting.
The U.S. Navy Recruiting Command badge is a temporary badge that must be surrendered upon completion of a recruiter's tour of duty as a Navy Recruiter.
United States Marine Corps
thumb|Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon|175x175px
The United States Marine Corps does not issue a recruiter badge. The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon was authorized by order of the secretary of the navy on June 7, 1995, with retroactive presentations to January 1, 1973. The Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon is awarded to Marine Corps officers and enlisted personnel who complete a standard 36-month tour in a United States Marine Corps Recruiting Command.
Eligible Billets:
(a) Marines possessing MOS 4810 or 8412 and have served in MOS 4810 or 8412 billets.
(b) Marines possessing MOS 8411 and assigned to duty in a recruiting billet (MOS 8411).
(c) Marine Corps Recruiting Command Headquarters.
(d) Marine Corps Districts: CO; Operations Office; Assistant for Officer Programs; Prior Service Recruiting Officer; Assistant for Aviation Officer Procurement; Assistant for Enlisted Recruiting; and Sergeant Major.
(e) Recruiting Stations: Commanding Officer; Executive Officer; Operations Officer; Officer Selection Officer; and Sergeant Major.
(f) Command recruiters, (also known as career planners), recruiter aides, and recruiter assistants are not eligible for the MCRR.
U.S. Coast Guard
Badges
The U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting Badge is authorized for wear by those personnel assigned as full-time United States Coast Guard recruiters. The badge may be upgraded with a gold wreath which is awarded to Guardsmen who have successfully completed Recruiter School and have completed the Personnel Qualification Standard. The badge is worn on the left pocket of active duty Coast Guard uniforms and is a temporary decoration which must be surrendered upon departure from a Recruiting Command.
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Admissions Recruiting Badge is authorized for wear by Coast Guard personnel assigned to a Coast Guard Academy Admissions Division billet. The badge is worn on the left pocket of active duty Coast Guard uniforms and is a temporary decoration which must be surrendered upon reassignment outside of the Academy Admissions Division.
U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Badges
The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Recruiter Badges are authorized for wear by those officers assigned as part-time or full-time U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC) recruiters. There are three levels of PHSCC recruiters; Recruiter, Associate Recruiter Lead, and Associate Recruiter corresponding to two different recruiter badges; the PHSCC Recruiter Badge and the PHSCC Associate Recruiter Badge. The badges are temporary decorations and must be surrendered upon completion of their recruiting duties.
In an attempt to make full use of the PHSCC existing recruitment resources to obtain candidates for the Corps, the Associate Recruiter Program (ARP) was established to be a volunteer program. The success of the ARP relies on participation of active-duty officers, inactive reserve officers, retired officers, students, civilians, operating divisions, staff divisions, and other organizations to which Corps officers are assigned. Although these officers are not required to be a part of the ARP to recruit, enrollment allows the Corps to recognize their efforts. Once enrolled, an Associate Recruiter is issued a PHSCC Associate Recruiter Badge as a symbol that distinguishes an individual's involvement in recruitment activities for the Corps.
Ribbon
thumb|right|Public Health Service Recruitment Service Award ribbon
After three consecutive years as either a full-time recruiter or active status as an associate recruiter, a USPHSCC officer is eligible to be awarded the Public Health Service Recruitment Service Award.