Both the Army and the Air Force offer a Non-Commissioned Officer Development Ribbon.   The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have no equivalent military medals.  These military awards honor those non-commissioned officers who have completed a prescribed leadership course at an NCO training school. 

The Army presents these military ribbons to service persons that complete any prescribed non-commissioned officer development courses.  The first award of the NCO Professional Development Ribbon is presented for completion of the Warrior Leader Course, which was formerly known as the Primary NCO Course, Combat Army Course, or Primary Leadership Development Course. 

When a soldier completes additional training courses such as the Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, or Sergeant’s Major Course, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon is issued with an Award Numeral to denote the additional accomplishment.  The highest numeral authorized for the NCO Professional Development Ribbon is “4″.  The numeral “5″ is now obsolete, but it was previously presented to service persons for graduation from the Army First Sergeant’s Course.

The Army Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon is worn below the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and above the Army Service Ribbon in the order of precedence for all military medals and ribbons.   These military awards are available as lapel pins, and as traditional slide on ribbons or the newer custom thin ribbon versions that have a trimmer, more professional appearance.