A Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon is an award issued by the United StatesArmy and Air Force to recognize those non-commissioned officers who have completed a prescribed leadership course at an NCO training school.
The NCO Professional Development Ribbon is issued by the U.S. Army for completion of any prescribed non-commissioned officer development courses. The first award of the NCO Professional Development Ribbon is issued for completion of the Warrior Leader's 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 Basic NCO Course, Advanced NCO Course, or Sergeant's Major 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 The numeral “5" is obsolete and was previously authorized for graduation from the Army United States Army 1st Sergeant's Course.
Air Force
The NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon is issued by the United States Air Force and is awarded for completion of prescribed non-commissioned officer professional development programs. Such programs include Airman Leadership School (ALS), Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA), and the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (SNCOA). Additional awards of the NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon are denoted by oak leaf clusters.
