USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon

Background

This award, authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force, Aug. 28, 1962, is awarded to graduates of the following certified Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education schools (NCO Preparatory Course, Airman Leadership School, NCO Leadership School, NCO Academy, SNCO Academy).

Criteria

Graduation from each successive level of PME entitles the member to an oak leaf cluster.

Do not award the ribbon to members who only complete the correspondence courses or similar training conducted by other military services except for in-residence completion of the U.S. Army Sergeant Major Academy, Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, or Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy.

Additional eligibility clarification

The NCOPME Graduate Ribbon was established and awarded to in-residence graduates of a certified NCO PME school. Prior to July 31, 2014, only in-residence PME completion qualified for award of the NCOPMER, however after that date, "in-residence" and "distance learning" courses qualify for award of the ribbon.

To provide clarification pertaining to the eligibility criteria contained in Air Force Instruction 36-2301, Personnel Developmental Education and AFI 36-2803, Personnel The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, AFI 36-2301 lists the courses that qualify for award of the NCOPMER; however, AFI 36-2803 is currently being re-written to update the changes to the NCOPMER policy.

Accordingly, a key factor for award of the NCOPMER is that each phase of PME only qualifies for one award regardless of how an Airman completed a particular phase of PME (DL or in-residence). In no circumstances should an individual be awarded more than one award for completion of a single phase of PME.

Example: Master Sgt. John Smith completes Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy by correspondence and then is selected/completes the in-residence SNCOA course. Smith is only awarded one (1) NCOPMER for this phase.

Authorized device

Oak Leaf Cluster