Established by the Secretary of the Army 10 APR 1981 and effective 01 AUG 1981,
the Army Service Ribbon is awarded to members of the US Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve who have successfully completed initial entry training.

Officers receive the ribbon upon completion of their basic orientation or higher level course.
Those officers assigned a specialty, special skill identifier, or MOS based on civilian or other-service acquired skills are eligible for the ribbon after completion of four months honorable active service.

Enlisted personnel are eligible upon completion of initial MOS-producing courses.
For those enlisted personnel assigned an MOS based on civilian or other-service acquired skills,
it is awarded after four months of honorable active service.

This ribbon is retroactive during the individual's service as long as service continued to or past 01 AUG 1981.