This is an academic honor ribbon.
The ribbon’s award “reflect[s] not only academic excellence but include high marks in shipboard evaluations by their ship’s officers.” The ribbons are an award for both the first and second sea years. The award ceremony for the Sea Year Academic ribbon is coterminous with the Term 1 Academic Stars award ceremony. It is blue and gray, the school colors.
The ribbon has four grades: Honor Ribbon, Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star, with Silver Star, and with Gold Star (2017).
Honor Ribbon: A QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49 for the first time, during the second sea year, no failing grades, and above average (3.0) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which have been entered in to Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.
Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star: A QPA of at least 3.50 up to and including 3.49 for the second sea year, no failing grades, and above average (3.0) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which have been entered in to Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.
Honor Ribbon with Silver Star: A QPA of at least 3.25 for the second sea year period, no failing grades, and above average (3.0 or better) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which Evaluations have been entered in to the Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades, and earned any Honor Ribbon during first sea period.
Honor Ribbon with Gold Star: A QPA of at least 3.50 for the second sea year period, no failing grades, and above average (3.0 or better) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which Evaluations have been entered in to Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades, and earned Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star during first sea period.
The ribbon is worn “on all uniforms except the Boiler-suit and Athletic uniforms. When Worn it shall be located on the left side of the last row of ribbons, or, if no other ribbons are worn, it shall be centered with the lower edge ¼” above the left pocket. Ribbon shall be worn with the blue field inboard, and the point of the star upwards (if star applicable).” (USMMA 2012)
N.B.: This ribbon is also called “Scholastic Honor Ribbon” (1978, 2000, 2005, 2015), “Sea Year Honor Ribbon” (1964, 1968, 1985, 2012), “Sea Year Academic Ribbon” (2007, 2017), “Honor Ribbon” (2015, 2017), “Sea Year Ribbon” (2014, 2017, 2018), or “Sea Year Scholastic Ribbon” (2017), depending upon the communication.
Reference:
Professional Development & Career Services, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Sea Year Guide (July 24, 2012). U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, 2012.
vanguard #3222 nex: sea year #3222
with bronze star (3⁄16“)
with silver star (3⁄16“)
with gold star (5⁄16“)
Changes were made to the both the ribbon and grades in later 2017. The ribbon was changed to blue and white, with blue inboard – matching the traditional colors of the ribbon – along with a re-write of the appurtenances.
Awarded to any midshipman for exemplary academic performance during the Sea Year, in accordance with the criteria set forth in the “Academic Handbook”. A subsequent award shall be indicated by a 3/16 inch bronze star. (Blue stripe is worn inboard). The Regimental Shipboard Training Liaison Officer (RSTLO) will be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
No longer were the silver and bronze stars; it follows that the award henceforth would have a maximum of two bronze stars.