A medal rack builder can help even the most seasoned veteran assemble their full or mini medals in just a few minutes. The best part about using a medal rack builder is that you won’t have to then assemble your medal rack on your own.

Using a medal rack builder enables you to avoid the frustration of assembling a medal rack on your own. No more trips to the first sergeant’s office, supply or your local military store where you have to painstakingly walk around, gather all your medals, your rack, and devices. Because once you are done collecting everything you need, then your fun really begins. You have to assemble the medal rack with the care of building a model.

If you use a medal rack builder like USAMM’s EZ Rack Builder, all you do is click on the medals you need and a USAMM veteran medal rack builder will ensure your medal rack is built according to your service’s regulations. They will also ensure that the medals follow the order in the military medals chart and spaced and aligned however you want them.

Whether you want mini medals or full-sized medals, using USAMM’s medal rack builder, EZ Rack Builder, is the way to go if you want to look your best. Remember, you also have a choice of selecting how many medals you want in a row; three or four.

How to Use USAMM’s Medal Rack Builder
Using USAMM’s EZ Rack Builder medal rack builder is simple. Simply navigate to the medal rack builder page, and then select the "Start a New Rack" button. Once you do that, the medal rack builder will take you to a landing page where you can select your service. USAMM’s medal rack builder has the ability to build racks for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Public Health Services and the Civil Air Patrol.

Once you select your service branch in the medal rack builder you will be asked to specify features of your medal rack. The medal rack builder allows you to choose if you want the medal rack to be three or four medals wide.

The EZ Rack Builder allows you to then move on and select your medals and accompanying devices. As the rack is built in the medal rack builder, you can see an image of the rack as you digitally build it. Once you are done adding medals and devices, review the rack, and then add it to your shopping basket. It is super easy to use USAMM’s EZ Rack Builder to build a medal rack. This great medal rack builder allows you to build a rack whenever you want, 24/7.

Helpful Tips
Preparation is the key to anything and using USAMM’s EZ Rack Builder is no different. If you are a veteran with just a handful of ribbons and medals, assembling your rack on the medal rack builder shouldn’t be too complicated. However, if you’re of the crusty veteran variety who has been around the world a few times, deployed multiple times and you’ve got more time in uniform than some people do on earth, then odds are, you might need to get organized before you visit the medal rack builder platform.

If you’ve got more than three or four rows of medals, there is a chance you might forget to add a medal to your rack while you’re building it using the medal rack builder (EZ Rack Builder) at USAMM. Ensure you have your DD Form 214 handy that includes all of your medals. If you don’t have a DD Form 214, then ensure that you have a copy of your personnel file that lists all of your awards. Following this list carefully will enable you to build the custom medal rack you’ve earned. Remember, if your records are wrong, then your rack will be wrong.

It is also important to remember that you should not buy anything that you have not earned. Life happens and while in most cases a little proactivity is a good thing, it can also create headaches. For example, let’s say you are deployed and your supervisor tells you they are recommending you for a commendation medal. At the end of your tour, you get excited and you order a new rack built on the medal rack builder at USAMM. It includes the commendation medal that your boss said you would earn. There’s only one problem. It was downgraded to an achievement medal and now you have the wrong rack with an award you did not earn. That’s a problem and it can be construed as Stolen Valor.

Patience can go a long way to ensure that your medal racks are correct and that you purchased what you have actually earned. Remember, in 1996 the chief of naval operations killed himself over ribbon devices that journalists discovered he was not authorized to wear. In the end, the admiral was supported by those who had told him he was authorized to wear the devices, but the Navy stated he was not authorized to wear them. There’s no need to get involved in a Stolen Valor situation. Ensure your records are up to date and then order your rack using the medal rack builder on USAAM’s website.

They will be assembled professionally and according to regulation and delivered to your door. Remember, purchase what you’ve earned and no more. If you don’t have an order for a medal in your personnel file, then you don’t have a medal.

The benefits of joining the military are many. There are many intangibles like the instillment of strong values, selfless service, and loyalty. Military service results in the acquisition of a number of skills, training, and experiences that help service members throughout life.

1. Intangible Benefits
Military service teaches and cultivates leadership skills. Some of the benefits of joining the military are that individuals learn to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. They make sound and timely decisions and have no problem setting an example.

Veterans of military service can easily understand and accomplish assigned tasks. They are dependable and cultivate abilities to meet a variety of challenges by being disciplined.

Some additional intangible benefits of joining the military are that military service can result in personal growth and positive emotional experiences, such as enhanced maturity, self-improvement, knowing oneself better (e.g., strengths, capabilities, areas for improvement), strengthening of resiliency, positive transformations following trauma or situations of extreme stress, improved coping skills, pride (e.g., in self, unit), enhanced interpersonal skills and relationships, and improved teamwork capacity.

2. Tangible Benefits
Some of the more popular tangible benefits of joining the military include 30 days of paid annual vacation. It’s important to note that just because your recruiter tells you that you are eligible for 30 days of leave, does not necessarily mean that you will get the chance to take 30 days of leave per year. The mission and needs of the service branch always come first, so if duty calls, then your leave will be placed on the backburner.

For those who are currently working several side hustles or gigs to make ends meet, one of the benefits of joining the military is a steady paycheck. One week you might work pretty lightly, and the following week might be horrifically busy. Much depends on your military occupational specialty (MOS) and your duty station.

Whether you work hard or are hardly working, those paychecks will keep coming in. And if you enlist for an in-demand MOS, you might get a bonus. Add to that, an attractive Thrift Savings Plan as a way to save extra for retirement and the steady financial pay and perks are great benefits of joining the military. Did we mention that if you come in right after high school and you serve for 20 years, you can retire at a young age, like 38, and start another entire career? Oh yeah, and you will receive a pension upon retirement; cha-ching!

Along those lines, one of the other major tangible benefits of joining the military is the health and dental insurance. This is a valuable benefit especially for those with a family. Add to that, the U.S. military offers low-cost life insurance for service members and educational benefits that can be used while you’re on active duty. If you opt to leave active duty, ensure you take advantage of your GI Bill benefits which differ depending on when you joined, and when you served.

One of the big benefits of joining the military is that you can serve either full-time on active duty, or part-time in the reserve or National Guard. The Army and Air Force have National Guard components and the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps have reserve components as well. The National Guard and reserve components also offer AGR, or active Guard and Reserve billets that are active duty positions supporting the reserve and National Guard components.

Whether you are choosing to serve on active duty or in the reserve or Guard components, you will have access to educational benefits, health and dental benefits, insurance and of course pay that is commensurate with your duty status.

Some of the not-so-known-about benefits of joining the military is the use of post exchanges which offers goods at a tax-free rate. Products are sometimes sold at lower prices than on the civilian economy.

Veterans are also entitled to VA Home Loans which offer special financing opportunities for those who’ve served. One of the great benefits of joining the military is Space A travel which enables military personnel to travel anywhere in the world on a military aircraft. The process can be cumbersome.

Travelers have to put their names on a list for a particular flight, then depending on their category of travel they are prioritized on the flight. There is a very small fee, and of course there are no comforts onboard, but if you are looking to save money and do some traveling, this is a greatly underused benefit.

However, travelers be warned. Aircraft break down and sometimes you can also spend days waiting on a flight only to be left behind. And a seven-hour flight to a particular destination might take you two to three days because the aircraft’s mission has it transiting through different stops with layovers that can be hours, days, or weeks long. Imagine landing in a place like Korea and then not having accommodations for two days and your final stop is Japan? What do you do?

3. Lifelong Memories
Military service is an extraordinarily unique experience. There is nothing in the civilian world quite like it, so serving exposes you to a plethora of experiences and relationships that cannot happen anywhere else.

Where else would you and others help each other through an exhausting obstacle course? If it wasn’t for military service, how else would you know what it is like to build an ice shelter with you and your teammates so you do not freeze at night during an exercise?

Do most civilians know what it is like to spend weeks under water in a submarine? Does your civilian neighbor know what it is like to freefall from a C-130? Or to drive a tank? The service is a great place to experience many unique things and that is one of the many benefits of joining the military.

Service members have a lot of different ways they can show their service pride. While off duty, they can sport service specific t-shirts that let everyone know that they are a proud member of the Armed Forces. They can also rock branch hats and even wear higher-end golf shirts that show their professionalism. However, they can also show their service pride by using custom drinkware that can include just about anything on it.

For use at the office or at your unit, consider purchasing a custom tumbler. USAMM can put just about any design on these durable, high-performing products that are guaranteed to keep your beverage cold or hot.

These 20-ounce powder coated stainless steel Polar Camel Tumblers feature double-wall vacuum insulation with a clear lid. The mug has a narrower bottom to fit most standard automotive cup holders. It is 2X heat and cold resistant compared to a normal tumbler. Polar Camels are made from 18/8 gauge stainless steel (18 percent chromium/8 percent nickel), also known as Type 304 Food Grade. When you purchase one of these, you can also add up to three lines of personalized engraving and choose between navy or black.

You can also get a laser engraved vacuum sealed 32-ounce water bottle with custom text for use at the office or at your unit if you are looking for custom drinkware. With this water bottle you get the superior hot and cold retention of the double wall insulated Polar Camel high endurance drinkware in a water bottle. The screw on lid features an easy flip top, soft rubber finger hold, raised ridges for easy opening and closing, and a rigid and removable straw for easy cleaning.

The water bottle is vacuum sealed so your drink will stay cold or hot for a really long time. It is made of powder coated stainless steel and you can add up to three lines of personalized engraving. These come in navy or black. They are durable enough to take to the gym and keep up with your fitness regimen.

Another great choice for the office or your unit is custom drinkware like USAMM’s laser engraved beverage holder. These holders are made of powder coated stainless steel. The Polar Camel beverage holders feature double-wall, vacuum insulation. They are heat and cold resistant and hold cans and bottles. Simply screw off the rubber top and place the beverage inside. These are great to use if you drink canned or bottled beverages at work. They are even better to use at unit cookouts and you can add up to two lines of personalized engraving and choose from either navy or black.

Another diverse piece of custom drinkware is the Battle Mug. It is machined from a 10.5-pound solid bar of 6061 T6 billet aluminum into a two-pound sculpted American made work of art. The Battle Mug’s Picatinny rails allow optional handles, one of which can be fitted with an optional lid, and other tactical gear to be attached.

The 26-ounce Battle Mug starts as a solid bar of 6061 T6 billet aluminum before it enters a state-of-the-art computerized numerical control machining facility in Vinemont, Alabama. Built to military specifications, Battle Mug features a M1913 Picatinny 3-rail interface system which allows the operator to mount a standard issue M4 carry handle, tactical light, laser device, holographic sight, or any tactical device imaginable for your operations.

Battle Mug is more than a drinking device, it is an heirloom that travels with its owner through every aspect of life and can be passed on to future generations. That Battle Mug comes has the ability to have added customized text, and even a rail cover with a ribbon rack or some of your favorite military badges. These are some of USAMM customers most favorite custom drinkware.

The Battle Mug’s little brother, the Combat Cup (pictured at the top of this article), is a smaller companion to the original Battle Mug for those who didn’t need the 26-ounce capacity of the original Battle Mug custom drinkware. The Combat Cup with M1913 Picatinny Rail System is also manufactured in the same high tech CNC facility, being precision machined from six pounds of solid billet aluminum into an American made work of art. A series of processes from CNC sawing, multi-axis turning, five-axis milling, skilled hand worked craftsmanship, and mil-spec Type III hard anodizing creates the ultimate compact tactical drinking device.

USAMM also makes its own custom coffee mugs if you are on the market for more traditional custom drinkware. We have several great coffee mugs that include some of the more popular military units and occupations if you are looking for custom drinkware that says something personal about you.

Custom drinkware is a fantastic gift for the military member or veteran in your life. Personalized products show that you’ve taken the time to buy someone you care about the very best. The Battle Mugs, in particular, make great permanent change of station, retirement or promotion gifts, especially since they can be customized and include a service member’s ribbon rack, medals, preferred badges, or U.S. flags. And the Battle Mugs and Combat Cups are super durable so they won’t break in the rigors of your duties. These are gifts that a person can actually take with them and use in the field and on deployment.

Custom drinkware is also an affordable long-lasting memento that many will continue to use beyond their last day in uniform. And if you’re reading this and thinking that you don’t really have a need to buy somebody else an awesome custom drinkware item, then consider yourself.

Nobody can better customize an item for you, than you. Remember, most of the items mentioned in this post have customizable text that can be added to most of these products and you can also add awesome ribbon racks and other things to these drinkware items.

Out of high school or college and unsure about what your next move will be? The U.S. military is certainly a viable option where you can learn and acquire marketable skills that will help you get meaningful work after your service ends and the U.S. Navy has a lot of great US Navy careers that also include an opportunity to travel and see the world.

Having translatable skills can help you in your transition and reintegration into the civilian sector once your service is complete if you have no intention of making the service a career. While there are six military branches, for the purpose of this article we will focus on the U.S. Navy.

There are several US Navy careers that can lead to outstanding and long-term civilian careers. At the very least, these US Navy careers can serve as a very strong launching point and get you moving in a positive direction.

USAMM developed this list using U.S. Department of Labor information that identified some of the most sought-after trades and skills in the U.S. job market. These are presented in no particular order and thankfully the US Navy careers are available right now and some might even include an enlistment bonus.

1. Information Systems Technician
As an information systems technician you will manage communication operations and networks aboard Navy vessels, and play a vital role in everything from electronic mail systems to special intelligence and information warfare systems. There are two types of Information Systems Technicians depending on whether you choose to serve on ships or submarines. But both of these are great US Navy careers to choose from.

a. Information Systems Technician (IT)
Establish, monitor and maintain radio frequency communication systems and operate and maintain global satellite telecommunications systems. IT techs transmit, receive and store all incoming and outgoing messages while managing and coordinating information systems security across platforms and fleets.

They design, install and operate wide-area-networks, computer systems and associated devices while performing network system administration, maintenance and training, including managing network security. They also install applications, troubleshoot user problems and provide training and assistance with use of computer hardware and software.

Lastly, IT techs write programs to collect and distribute data for a variety of applications, ensure the proper security and handling of communications materials, systems and equipment while performing diagnostics and data recovery operations and maintaining logs.

b. Information Systems Technician Submarines (ITS)
IT techs on subs establish, monitor and maintain radio frequency communication systems while operating and maintaining global satellite telecommunications systems. They transmit, receive and store all incoming and outgoing messages while managing and coordinating information systems security across platforms and fleets.

They design, install and operate wide-area-networks, computer systems and associated devices. They perform network system administration, maintenance and training and manage network security while installing applications, troubleshooting user problems and providing training and assistance with use of computer hardware and software.

IT techs write programs to collect and distribute data for a variety of applications while performing diagnostics and data recovery operations, and maintaining logs. They operate and maintain electronic equipment used for detection and tracking, communication security and cryptography and Electronic Warfare Systems while operating and maintaining testing and auxiliary equipment and ensuring the proper security and handling of communications materials, systems and equipment.

Both of these IT fields can easily transition to the civilian world and not just offer solid US Navy careers, but great civilian sector professions.

2. Naval Aircrewmen Mechanical (AWF)
AWFs offer great opportunities for US Navy careers. They are members of a fixed-wing integrated tactical crew aboard C-2, C-9, C-12, C-20, C-37, C-40, C-130, E-6 and P-3 aircraft. Their responsibilities include performing primary in-flight and ground duties as aircraft Flight Engineer/Crew Chief, Loadmaster, Reel Operator and Aircrew Readiness Manager.

They perform aircraft maintenance, weight and balance calculations and aircraft systems rigging while conducting flight and ground training. These crewmen move cargo, perform medical evacuations, transport passengers and small arms, assist in joint special warfare operations, and contribute directly to operations for the purposes of attaining and maintaining the squadron’s aircrew qualifications and certifications.

AWFs demonstrate knowledge of all aircraft systems, passenger and cargo handling, safety procedures and equipment, federal and military regulations for passenger transport, emergency procedures and aircraft equipment.

Any airline or aviation company would hire air crewmen after their US Navy careers. The jobs are in demand.

3. Hospital Corpsmen
Hospital Corpsmen assist health care professionals in providing medical care to Navy personnel and their families. They may function as clinical or specialty technicians, medical administrative personnel and healthcare providers at medical treatment facilities. If you are interested in a medical career, this is a great way to get your feet wet and take a test drive. As a US Navy career it is a rewarding field, but it can also open post-military doors and help you get a job as a firefighter, EMT, or a medical or dental technician. This can also lead to more advanced careers like medical specialists or medical doctor.

Specifically, Hospital Corpsmen may be called upon to perform emergency medical treatment on SEALs, Seabees, Marines and other military personnel injured in the field, as well as on sailors aboard ships or aircraft.

Corpsmen perform emergency dental treatment as well as construct dental crowns and bridges, process dental X-rays and operate X-ray equipment. During their US Navy careers, they can also serve as an operating room technician for general and specialized surgery. Much depends on what type of corpsman you choose to become.

Corpsmen can help administer a wide range of preventive care and medications, including immunizations and intravenous fluids and they can conduct physical examinations and assist in the treatment of diseases and injuries. They can supervise sanitation and safety conditions in the workplace and maintain patient treatment records, conduct research and perform clinical tests.

Lastly, corpsmen assist Navy physicians and nurses in a variety of medical fields, including, but not limited to radiology, physical therapy, phlebotomy, dental, surgery, family medicine, pathology, women’s health and more.

Given the push in technology, the IT fields are always a safe bet to enter and you can get great experiences working in those fields as US Navy careers. And because of technology demand, that means less and less people are entering the mechanical fields, creating high demand for those who work with their hands and keep things moving. You can’t go wrong entering US Navy careers where you work on aircraft. Like tech, you will easily find work after you leave the ranks.

Lastly, the medical field, for decades, has always had a shortage of healthcare workers. US Navy careers in healthcare are almost a guaranteed path to get into a good paying, in demand healthcare job after you leave the U.S. military.

There comes a day when everyone serves their last day in uniform. For some, they were one and done. They served one term, did their duty and returned to the civilian ranks. For others, they served for several years, and maybe around half way to retirement they decided to hang up their boots and reintegrate into the civilian sector. And for others they went the distance, staying in the ranks for 20 or more years, retiring from a life they started in the ranks long ago.

Make no mistake about it though, everyone, eventually, serves one last day in the ranks and when they do, they are usually left with a duffel bag issued in basic training that is full of old military uniforms. In most cases, the local supply non-comm will not require a separating individual to turn them in, even if they were issued. This is definitely the case if an individual purchased his or her own uniform items.

Sure, the departing service member will have to return issued gear and equipment, but ordinarily many will have a bunch of old military uniforms and no further requirement to wear them. What can a person do with old military uniforms? Here are some ideas.

Donate to Charity
Old military uniforms can easily be donated to charity and they will certainly be put to good use. Most charities sell donated clothing items and then use the cash generated from sales of used clothing items to fund their social service programs.

Old military uniforms can be purchased at second hand shops and used as Halloween costumes, or for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing. They might also be sought-after items for those who work outside because old military uniforms are durable and stand up to rigorous activities.

Planning to donate old military uniforms to a charity? Just remember to take the patches off of uniforms shirts. The last thing anyone wants is individuals using Stolen Valor to manipulate situations, and while getting patches, ranks, and medals is easy in the United States, making it easier for the liars is frowned upon by fellow veterans. Before donating old military uniforms, remove all patches.

Make them Work Clothes
Because of their durability, old military uniforms make great work clothes for chores around the house. Consider using them for landscaping, gardening, automotive and household repairs, and just about anything rough and dirty. Of course this doesn’t apply to Class A or Class B uniforms.

Old military boots are great for cutting the grass and using lawn maintenance equipment because they are steel-toed and can protect feet from flying rocks, fast moving string cutters, and blades. Workshop at the house? Wear the old combat boots.

Turn them into fashion
Remember when Bill Murray’s character in the movie Stripes talked about how women were paying top dollar for Army uniforms? Well, he’s not wrong, and a quick scan online reveals that cammo cargo shorts are going for more than $35. But instead of selling them, old military uniforms can be modified and worn.

For example, old military uniform pants, like the OCP pants, make great shorts. Take some scissors to those bad boys and cut them just below the side cargo pocket and they will become extra comfortable cargo shorts. Because they are old military uniforms, they will be nice and broken in.

Similarly, old military uniforms can be used to workout. Former physical training uniforms and t-shirts are great for working out. Old military uniforms that are sweats can be worn when there’s a little bit of inclement weather. The old physical training jackets are great for the fall or spring when it is just slightly cool out.

Sell them
Log onto any online selling platform and it is evident that old military uniforms are a popular item. Many people buy them and use them for the aforementioned reasons. However, it is important to ensure that the property being sold does not belong to the U.S. government. The last thing anyone wants is to be busted for selling old military uniforms online. Make sure that the old military uniforms that are being sold are not property of the U.S. government.

Army Navy or military surplus stores, sometimes located around the major U.S. military bases, sell old military uniforms and they might be interested in purchasing more. Selling old military uniforms to a fellow Soldier, Airman, Sailor, Marine, Guardian and Coastie, at a bargain, not only will put money in a seller’s pocket, but it will also help a fellow cash-strapped service member.

Donate to Junior Enlisted
This option is often overlooked by many people leaving the ranks. If there are people in the unit, in the squad, or in the team, that are similar in size, but junior in rank, they might truly appreciate the donation especially if the items complement their own supply. For example, donating boots might help a young infantryman who can use the spare boots as field boots. The same goes for uniforms. Maybe they can use the extra uniform as field uniforms that are intentionally reserved for the rigors of being in the field, getting dirty and tattered.

Maybe they have been working out or hit a growth spurt and need the uniforms but can’t afford to get another set. Handing down old military uniforms is a great way for departing soldiers to keep a part of themselves alive in the ranks. Encourage those who are receiving the donations to return the favor when they can that way the old military uniforms get used beyond their serviceability.

No matter what fate old military uniforms finally face, it is important not to throw these items away or discard them improperly. It is wasteful and there is someone out there who can definitely put the old military uniforms to good use in some form or fashion.

Remember to keep a set because someday a relative or a friend might ask about old military uniforms and it will be a good thing to have at least one set to be shown off and kept as a memento of military service.

In January 2023, the U.S. Army issued Army Directive 2023-01 concerning the Army Recruiting Ribbon program. Later that month, the Secretary of the Army sent a letter to the Army community about the Soldier Referral Program (SRP) Pilot.

The Army Recruiting Ribbon and SRP certainly got attention and signaled that the Army was struggling to try to fill its ranks. Having spent years of trying a multitude of different approaches, the Army was now returning to a modified version of the SRP and mobilizing its ranks to support recruitment operations.

The SRP is designed to enable soldiers of all ranks and all components to share their Army story with a potential applicant and direct them to an Army website enabling a local recruiter to contact the applicant and action their potential enlistment. Under the 12-month SRP Pilot, soldiers in the grades of E-1, E-2, and E-3 may receive one rank advancement for providing a valid referral of someone who both enlists and ships to Army Initial Military Training (IMT).

The Army Recruiting Ribbon was created to increase recruiting awareness throughout the Army and to encourage soldiers to embed themselves within their communities to tell their Army story. The Army Recruiting Ribbon is awarded to all soldiers who provide a valid referral to the U.S. Army of an individual who both enlists and ships to Army IMT. 

All soldiers, whether officer or enlisted, who provide a valid referral to the U.S. Army of an individual who enlists and ships to IMT may receive the Army Recruiting Ribbon up to four times during their career. Additional awards are identified with a numerical device added to the ribbon. The Army Recruiting Ribbon is ranked between the Army Sea Duty Ribbon and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal in order of precedence according to an email received by USAMM from U.S. Army’s Human Resources Command (HRC), Awards and Decorations branch. At each award of the Army Recruiting Ribbon, soldiers in the grades of E-4 or E-5 will receive 10 points toward promotion to E-5/E-6. Soldiers may receive up to 40 total promotions points for four valid referrals.

The first O5/lieutenant colonel commander/civilian equivalent or above in the soldier’s chain of command is the approval authority for the Army Recruiting Ribbon. The soldier’s battalion commander is the approval authority for award of the Army Recruiting Ribbon and will provide a memorandum to serve as supporting documentation for the award. The approval memorandum will be web uploaded via the Integrated Personnel Electronic Records Management System for filing in the soldier’s Army Military Human Resource Record.
 
The provisions of the SRP and Army Recruiting Ribbon programs apply to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.

Referring soldiers in the rank of E1 - E3 in good standing and not flagged, are eligible for early advancement for a valid referral of an individual who both enlists and ships to Army IMT. A soldier may only receive one rank advancement for providing a valid referral. HRC Promotions branch will periodically conduct audits to track soldiers promoted under the SRP.

The referring soldier and applicant must willingly provide and submit their own information through the established Go Army system. The referring soldier must provide evidence of referral to their Unit S1. The first O-3/captain commander/civilian equivalent or above in the soldier’s chain of command is the approval authority for promotion. Promotion authorities should initiate the process for eligible soldiers within 60 days of a valid referral’s ship date. Time-in-Grade, Time-in-Service, and existing waiver limitations do not apply to early advancement through SRP.  

Soldiers may refer a qualified applicant for service into the U.S. Army by providing the applicant's name, phone number, and email and their DoD ID number. Submit the applicant's information via link, email or phone call listed below. Referred applicants must willingly provide and submit their own contact information. The referring soldier must willingly provide and submit their own DOD ID number, first name, and last name.

Referrals can be submitted in any of the following ways:

Soldiers can navigate to https://www.goarmy.com/refer and follow the instructions, entering the requested information. Soldiers can also text RFRL to GOARMY (462769) and allow the referred applicant to enter key information.

Units can update the referring soldier’s record in the Integrated Personnel and Pay Systems – Army (IPPS-A) by following these instructions:

1. For E1 - E3 early advancement, HR Pros will need to submit a Personnel Action Request (PAR), Action: Promotion. When filling out the PAR, the HR Pro must select Action Reason for "Merit Promotion." Effective date, Grade Entry Date, and Rank Entry Date must all be the same, and equal to the date the commander approved the promotion. The HR Pro will attach the USAREC consolidated validation roster as the supporting documentation. Then route the action to the unit commander for approval and order production.

2. For E4 - E5 Promotion points, the referring soldier will submit an Admin Records Correction PAR to their S1 Pool using the self-service feature in IPPS-A to add the Army Recruiting Ribbon. Promotion points automatically update when the Member’s record changes.

3. To add the Army Recruiting Ribbon to a Soldier’s record, the Referring Soldier will submit an Admin Records Correction PAR to their S1 Pool using the self-service feature in IPPS-A. The instructions for an Admin Records Correction PAR can be found in the IPPS-A User Manual, Version 5, Chapter 7, Process 7-3 (Submit an Admin Records Corrections PAR). The HR Pro will attach the USAREC consolidated validation roster and commander’s approval memorandum as the supporting documentation.

For clarification or questions regarding the Army Recruiting Ribbon, contact the HRC Awards and Decorations branch, AHRC-PDP-A, 502-613-9126, (DSN) 983-9126, or by email at usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-awards@army.mil.

For clarification or questions regarding Early Promotion, contact the HRC Enlisted Promotions Branch, AHRC-PDV-PE, 502-613-9013, (DSN) 983-9013, or by email RA usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-jr-enlisted-promotions@army.mil or USAR AGR usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-jr-agr-enlisted-promotions@army.mil.

The Army Directive 2023-01 (Army Recruiting Ribbon Program) is located at the following link: https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/ArmyDir.aspx.

The Secretary of the Army - Tri Signed Letter and the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affair) SRP Authorization memorandum is located at the following link: https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/PogProponent.aspx

U.S. Navy ship names traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. For most of the 19th century, U.S. law included language explicitly assigning the Secretary of the Navy the task of assigning Navy ship names. The reference to the Secretary of the Navy disappeared from the U.S. Code in 1925.

1. The law of Navy ship names historically
A law approved in 1819 (Resolution, March 3, 1819, §1, 3 Stat. 538, No. 7) stated, “That all of the ships of the navy of the United States, now building, or hereafter to be built, shall be named by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President of the United States” in accordance with rules specifying that ships of the first class were to be named after states of the Union, and second and third class ships were to be named, respectively, after rivers and principal cities and towns.

Another law approved in 1858 (Act of June 12, 1858, c. 153, §5, 11 Stat. 319) provided a similar rule for “steamships of the navy,” except third-class vessels (those with fewer than twenty guns) were to be named by the SECNAV as the President may direct, taking care that no two vessels in the Navy shall bear the same name. §1531 of the Revised Statutes of 1873-1874, citing the 1819 and 1858 laws, states the following: “The vessels of the Navy shall be named by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President” in accordance with rules similar to those above, varying slightly depending on whether the vessel was a sailing ship or a steamship.

In 1898, Congress passed a law (Act of May 4, 1898, c. 234, 30 Stat. 390 [appropriations for the naval services]) prescribing rules for the naming of “first-class battle ships and monitors,” which specified that these were to be named after States and “shall not be named for any city, place, or persons until the names of the States, shall have been exhausted.” The provision did not explicitly state whose duty it would be to assign names to vessels. Congress repealed this provision in 1908 as it pertained to monitors, permitting those vessels to be named “as the President may direct.”

The reference to the SECNAV found in §1531 of the Revised Statutes of 1873-1874 is absent from the U.S. Code of 1925, which covers Navy vessel names in Title 34, §461-463. 3 10 U.S.C. §8662 was previously numbered as 10 U.S.C. §7292. It was renumbered as 10 U.S.C. §7292 by Section 807(d)(2) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019. Section 807 of the law directed the renumbering of various sections of Title 10 relating to the Navy and Marine Corps. Sections 806 and 808 did the same for sections of Title 10 relating to the Air Force and Army, respectively.

2. The law of Navy ship names today
The code today (10 U.S.C. §8662) is silent on the issue of who has the authority over Navy ship names, but the SECNAV arguably retains implicit authority, given the location of Section 8662 in subtitle C of Title 10, which covers the Navy and Marine Corps. The Navy’s process for Navy ship names is set forth in SECNAV Instruction 5031.1D of March 21, 2019, which states that the SECNAV is the sole entity with authority to approve the name of new construction, conversion, and long-term charter ships. The SECNAV is also the authority for approving the naming convention for new ship classes.

Section 370 of the FY2021 NDAA established a commission, commonly referred to as the Naming Commission, regarding the removal and renaming of certain Department of Defense assets (including ships) that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the confederacy.

3. Process for Navy ship names
For now, according to a congressional report, the process is as follows for Navy ship names.

Upon contract award for a new construction ship/ship class without an established naming convention, the cognizant Program Executive Office (PEO) notifies the Secretary of the Navy’s (SECNAV) public affairs office (PAO) and the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) that a contract has been awarded. The SECNAV PAO generates a tasker for the NHHC to develop proposed naming conventions and hull designations. This is the first step in developing Navy ship names.

These recommendations are supposed to be based on historical precedence for previous ships of similar type, capability, or mission and should include three potential naming conventions, with supporting rationale and proposed ship names associated with each convention. NHHC notifies the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Office of Counsel of the potential names to review for possible trademark law issues. After preparation of the naming convention memorandum, the NHHC routes the package through the cognizant PEO; Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ship Programs (DASN Ships); Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research Development and Acquisition) (ASN [RD&A]); the Director of Navy Staff (DNS); the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO); and ultimately the SECNAV PAO. Each organization reviews the recommended naming conventions and prepares endorsement memoranda for the new Navy ship names. The package is forwarded to the SECNAV for consideration.

Once the naming convention has been established by the SECNAV, subsequent ship naming packages will be initiated upon contract award by the SECNAV PAO, who will generate a tasker for the NHHC to develop a proposed naming package. These recommendations should be based on the naming convention, historical precedence for previous ships, capability, or mission and include supporting rationale. The SECNAV PAO provides the NHHC with ship naming recommendations received from public sources for review and consideration.

The NHHC prepares a memorandum that provides ship name options to the SECNAV, which is routed through the DNS and the CNO. The CNO reviews the options for each hull to be named and forwards the package, along with CNO recommendations, to the SECNAV PAO.

Upon receipt of the naming recommendation package, the SECNAV PAO coordinates with SECNAV Legal Office to identify and resolve issues associated with all proposed names. Upon completion of this review, the package is forwarded to the SECNAV for consideration.

Upon the SECNAV’s selection of a name(s) of new construction ships, the SECNAV PAO prepares a SECNAVNOTE 5030 with input from NHHC for the SECNAV’s signature for distribution to the NHHC, the CNO, DNS, Chief of Naval Information, ASN (RD&A), DASN Ships, the ONR Office of Counsel and the cognizant PEO.

Upon completion of the 5030 the SECNAV PAO will generate a press release to formally release the name to the public. The NHHC maintains comprehensive ship naming records containing biographical data and ship heritage information associated with the ship’s namesake, including information concerning previous ships of the same name.

If you are finishing up high school or college and do not know what your next step might be, consider joining the U.S. Navy. Not familiar with the U.S. military or how to join the Navy? Well, you’ve come to the right place because we can help.

How to join the Navy (First Steps)
Your first step is to contact a Navy recruiter so you can get answers to basic questions about joining. Your local recruiter is a wealth of information, but remember, they work for the U.S. Navy and while they are trying to help you, the needs of the U.S. Navy come first.

Once you get some initial screening and processing done, your recruiter will take you to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). There you will take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). On another visit to MEPS, you will undergo a medical physical exam. All recruits must be within height and weight standards. A recruiter can offer more information about that.

Enlisted sailor candidates need to have a high school degree or equivalent to join, while officers need a college degree by the time they are commissioned. To enlist, you’ll also need to meet a minimum score on the ASVAB. Each Navy rating, that is, occupation, has its own set of scores that are required to join that field. For example, the scores to become a carpenter might be different than to become a language cryptologist. It’s recommended you check the requirements of your preferred job, since some specific jobs also require minimum scores.

How to Join the Navy (Things to Know)
The Navy’s physical requirements are measured through the Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT), which consists of pushups, situps and running. Your overall score must amount to 60 points. Requirements are adjusted based on age and gender. You won’t need to meet any physical fitness requirements before joining the Navy as an enlisted Sailor with the exception of Naval Special Warfare programs. There are requirements if you join through ROTC or another officer path—your recruiter will provide the details.

Whether you’re a skilled swimmer or have never swum a stroke, you’re welcome in the Navy. Part of Navy boot camp is the swim test. Many sailors join the Navy without knowing how to swim, but instructors at boot camp are trained to recruits everything they’ll need to know before the test. The test consists of three events: a jump into a pool, a 50-yard swim and a prone float for five minutes.

Once you’ve taken the ASVAB and you are cleared medically, you will speak with a career counselor about which Navy job is right for you based on your physical qualifications and ASVAB score. Enlisted positions typically require an initial service commitment of four years, but positions involving longer-term training may involve five- or six-year obligations. Officer positions typically require an initial service commitment of three to five years, but positions involving longer-term training may involve longer service obligations.

How to Join the Navy (Requirements)
Finally, once you’ve done all of the above, you will take the Oath of Enlistment and receive orders for Recruit Training Command also known as boot camp.

Here are some basic requirements to become a sailor:

• Be a U.S. citizen; or Legal Permanent Resident (enlisted)
• Be between the ages of 17 and 41 for Enlisted programs. Age requirements for Officer programs vary.
• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (enlisted) or have a four-year degree from an accredited university (officer)
• Have a qualifying score on the ASVAB test (enlisted) or the Officer Aptitude Rating and Aviation Selection Test Battery (officer)
• Pass the MEPS medical exam
• Meet the physical, mental and moral standards of the Navy

It is important to note that the age requirements for joining the Navy depend on the path you take, and they exist mainly to ensure you’re able to succeed in a challenging environment. If you are not yet 18, you need parental consent to join.

How to Join the Navy (Disqualifiers)
Here are some disqualifying factors that will prevent you from becoming a sailor: 

• Contagious diseases that would endanger the health of other personnel
• Conditions or defects that require excessive time lost for necessary treatment or hospitalization
• Conditions demanding geographical area limitations
• Conditions aggravated by the performance of required duties and/or training

You can still join with a medical disqualification as long as you get a medical waiver, which is issued on a case-by-case basis. If you have a specific medical condition and are not sure whether it disqualifies you, talk to a recruiter.

How to Join the Navy (Moral waivers)
In addition, the Navy is responsible for the defense of the nation and should not be viewed as a source of rehabilitation for those who have not subscribed to the legal and moral standards of society at-large. Generally, felons and those with several convictions can’t join the Navy, but moral waivers or felony waivers are available in some cases. The waiver procedure is not automatic, and approval is based on each individual case.

The following offenses cannot be waived:

• If you are under any form of judicial restraint (bond, probation, imprisonment, or parole)
• If you are subject to civil court conviction or adverse disposition for more than one serious offense, or serious offenses with three or more other offenses (apart from traffic)
• If you are found trafficking, selling, or distributing narcotics, including marijuana
• If you have three or more convictions related to driving while intoxicated, drugged, or impaired in the past five years before joining
• If you have been convicted of a felony crime of rape, sexual abuse, sexual assault, incest, any other sexual offense, or when the disposition requires the person to register as a sex offender.
• If you are convicted for five or more misdemeanors
• If you are unable to pass a drug or alcohol test, or if you have current charges pending against you
• If you have been previously separated from the military services under conditions other than honorable or for the good of the military service concerned
• In you have received an unfavorable final determination by the DoD Consolidated Adjudication Facility on a completed National Agency Check with Law and Credit (NACLC) or higher-level investigation, which is adjudicated to the National Security Standards in accordance with Executive Order 12968, Reference (j), during the accession process.

The Navy has a waiver process that you can take advantage of to prove you overcame a disqualifying issue that would otherwise prevent you from joining the Navy. After submitting a waiver, a review takes place to make sure you can join.

How to Join the Navy (Final Steps)
You will look back on when you asked yourself how to join the Navy and you will realize that the easiest part was asking that question. Attending boot camp, A school and then getting to your assignment was also just part of the journey to start your Navy service.

How to join the Navy? Asking that question is always the first step, but if you follow these steps, you will be packing your bags and heading off to serve in the Navy in no time.