Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon

A Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon is an award issued by the United States Army and Air Force to recognize those noncommissioned officers who have completed a prescribed leadership course at an NCO training school.

Army
The NCO Professional Development Ribbon (established in 1981) is issued by the U.S. Army for completion of any prescribed noncommissioned officer development courses. The first award of the NCO Professional Development Ribbon is issued for completion of the Warrior Leader Course (WLC) - which used to be called the "Primary NCO Course", "Combat Army Course", or "Primary Leadership Development Course" (PLDC). When a soldier completes additional schooling (such as the Advanced Leaders Course, and Senior Leaders Course), the NCO Professional Development Ribbon is issued with an award numeral. The highest numeral authorized for the NCO Professional Development Ribbon is “4". The numeral “5" is obsolete and was previously authorized for graduation from the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy when the First Sergeant Course was a level, since removed from consideration.

Air Force
The NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon (established in 1962) is issued by the United States Air Force and is awarded for completion of prescribed noncommissioned officer professional development programs. Such programs include Airman Leadership School (ALS), Nonommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA), and the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (SNCOA). Additional awards of the NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

Additional Services
The United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States Marines have no equivalent to the Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon.