recognition ribbon / RIBBON WALL ART

Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon

Explore the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon ribbon, its official award references, and an oversized wall display concept.

Ribbon reference (devices may vary). Image reference ↗ · Award chart ↗. Digital references guide the concept; they are not final production color or textile specifications.

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Explore an oversized, permanently nonwearable wall-art interpretation. Choose a preview width and arrange your display. Plan for individual ribbons, ribbons with individual mounts, or ribbons with a corresponding display rack.

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Fabric and 3D printed finishes are in development. Physical samples will establish the final colors, texture, devices, mounting and pricing.

About this ribbon

Established 21 February 1968. AFPC states winner service-star authorization retroactive to June 1970, but this device date is not treated as a universal earliest eligibility date. Program name changed to Outstanding Airmen of the Year Program 19 January 2025; ribbon name remains singular Airman.

Catalog associations: Air Force, Space Force. Current award reference. Branch associations are browsing guidance; other service awards may also appear in a veteran’s record.

Service years and award dates

Years help surface possibilities. A date overlap does not show that someone earned an award. Some date rules describe completion, specific operations or retroactive eligibility, rather than a universal service window.

Service-date coverage for this ribbon is still being confirmed. It remains available in the finder when you enter service years.

Date coverage is not certified complete. The finder keeps this entry available when listed dates do not overlap.

Research notes and remaining questions

A DLA manufacturing specification exists for a separate Space Force Polaris Award ribbon (MIL-DTL-11589/719A); award/wear authorization and eligibility were not located in the current DAFMAN or AFPC chart. See separate uncertain Polaris record.

Official award references

Consult the applicable service guidance for eligibility, precedence and authorized devices.

DAFMAN 36-2806, Military Awards: Criteria and Procedures, Change 3 (13 August 2025) ↗A14.7
AFPC: Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon ↗Background and criteria
AFPC Decorations and Ribbons ↗Official ribbon chart
Air Force announces the 12 Outstanding Airmen of 2020 ↗Space Force winner Basney; winner ribbon authorization

Not sure what they earned?

A ribbon name, a photograph of an existing rack, or service records can be a useful starting point. Our guide points you toward official records-request services.

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