I am working on Dad's shadow box and he has eight(8) atta boys - good behavior medals.

If it was seven it's easy. Bronze silver bronze.

What's the order for 8?

Your question makes no sense. But if you're looking for a way to get them in order just Google Army awards.

Take a look at this page under Inherent Resolve.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_star

They've got a seven star example that goes:
Silver Bronze Bronze

So I think your eight star scenario would be Silver and three Bronze.

Why not a number 8?

It looks like the subsequent awards for a Good Conduct Medal have knots rather than stars.
Take a look at this example on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382335716455

OldArmyCT said:

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Why not a number 8?

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Because it's not correct to put numerals on the Good Conduct Medal? His question was pretty straightforward.

OP, since you're using stars I assume you're looking at a USMC Good Conduct Medal. The best I can find, 7 is bronze-silver-bronze and 8 is silver-bronze-bronze-bronze. I googled the USMC uniform regulation, so hopefully an enlisted Marine chimes in with actual experience

HollywoodBQ said:

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Take a look at this page under Inherent Resolve.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_star

They've got a seven star example that goes:
Silver Bronze Bronze

So I think your eight star scenario would be Silver and three Bronze.

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The ribbon itself represents one award of the GCM. Each bronze star represents one additional award. The silver star represents five awards of the bronze star. So, one silver star + one ribbon = six awards of the GCM. Eight would be ribbon + silver + two bronze.

FWIW, I was an enlisted Marine 81-84 before my USAF commission, but only earned one GCM.

USA*** said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Take a look at this page under Inherent Resolve.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_star

They've got a seven star example that goes:
Silver Bronze Bronze

So I think your eight star scenario would be Silver and three Bronze.

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The ribbon itself represents one award of the GCM. Each bronze star represents one additional award. The silver star represents five awards of the bronze star. So, one silver star + one ribbon = six awards of the GCM. Eight would be ribbon + silver + two bronze.

FWIW, I was an enlisted Marine 81-84 before my USAF commission, but only earned one GCM.

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Appreciate the replies. Dad was 25 years Navy (NSA).

Master Chief Petty Officer was his last rank.

He has a Joint Services Commendation, two National Defense Service and eight Good Conduct medals.

I have the ribbon order it's JSC, GC then NDS.

Everything came in from eVetRecs. They must have sent me an extra bronze star that's throwing me off.

If it's ribbon + Silver + two Bronze then Dad's existing GC ribbon is correct with bronze - silver - bronze.

His NDS is one bronze. I will just recreate what he did. FTR - his medals are in bad shape so I requested all new for his Shadow Box. As you can see he doesn't have a lot, but his job was clearly not one to draw attention to.

Out of curiosity, what is the little medal in the box with the JSC? It comes with a ribbon, a medal and a tiny medal. Where would that go?

I appreciate the answers. I also just found a shadow box rack builder online. playing with that now.

FYI - I have a buddy, former Navy SEAL, who has zero Good Conduct medals and it's not hard to see why...

Gilligan said:

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USA*** said:

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HollywoodBQ said:

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Take a look at this page under Inherent Resolve.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_star

They've got a seven star example that goes:
Silver Bronze Bronze

So I think your eight star scenario would be Silver and three Bronze.

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The ribbon itself represents one award of the GCM. Each bronze star represents one additional award. The silver star represents five awards of the bronze star. So, one silver star + one ribbon = six awards of the GCM. Eight would be ribbon + silver + two bronze.

FWIW, I was an enlisted Marine 81-84 before my USAF commission, but only earned one GCM.

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Out of curiosity, what is the little medal in the box with the JSC? It comes with a ribbon, a medal and a tiny medal. Where would that go?

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If it's anything like the USAF, the miniature medals are for wear on your Mess Dress. Ribbons are for wear on your Service Dress or shirt-sleeves uniform (not BDUs or flight suit or MX coveralls and in the USAF generally only enlisted wore ribbons on their shirt sleeve uniforms. Officers usually only wore their qualification badges and/or wings) ) and full size medals are never worn in my experience.

On Army medals, the tiny "ribbon" in the medal box is a lapel pin appropriate for wear with civilian attire.

Tango.Mike said:

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OldArmyCT said:

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Why not a number 8?

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Because it's not correct to put numerals on the Good Conduct Medal? His question was pretty straightforward.

OP, since you're using stars I assume you're looking at a USMC Good Conduct Medal. The best I can find, 7 is bronze-silver-bronze and 8 is silver-bronze-bronze-bronze. I googled the USMC uniform regulation, so hopefully an enlisted Marine chimes in with actual experience

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If his question was so straight forward why did you assume he was a Marine? Or the medal a GCM? I'm a little dumb, only spent 20 in the Army so I have no idea how the other guys do their medals, which is why I asked for clarification. But most of the better plaque-building sites know the rules and will tell you when you try to make a shadow box.

Disclaimer: I'm a dummy and didn't read OlArmy CT's post which basically says the same thing I wrote.

You can try these websites to help determine.
https://ezrackbuilder.usamm.com/rack-builder/select-branch


If this was for USMC then this is what it shows 8 awards should look like. One ribbon, 2 bronze stars and one silver star for 8 total awards.

Thanks, I totally forgot about the initial award.

Ok, since your dad was a MCPO, he was in Navy…this is what his ribbon rack would look like based on your list.


Hope this answers your question.
CAPT Lee R Lance USN (Ret)
Class of '72