Operational Distinguishing Device

The Operational Distinguishing Device ("O" device) is a miniature silver 5⁄16 inch letter "O" that is authorized by the United States Coast Guard as a ribbon device[1] which may be authorized for wear on certain awards and decorations of the United States Coast Guard.Any authorized gold 5⁄16 Inch Stars alternate around the "O" device.[2] Eligibility criteria are based on a member's or unit's direct participation in missions of an operational "hands on" nature.To qualify for this device on a decoration, both the person's work and unit must be operational in nature.Such examples include search and rescue, fire fighting, maritime law enforcement, disaster relief, pollution response, and aids to navigation maintenance and operations.
Department of Homeland SecurityUnited States Coast Guardribbon deviceawards and decorations of the United States Coast Guardservice ribbon5⁄16 Inch Starssearch and rescuefire fightinglaw enforcementdisaster reliefpollution responseaids to navigationMeritorious Service MedalCoast Guard Commendation MedalCoast Guard Achievement MedalCommandant's Letter of Commendation RibbonCoast Guard Unit CommendationCoast Guard Meritorious Unit CommendationCoast Guard Meritorious Team CommendationAwards and decorations of the United States militaryMedal of HonorCoast Guard CrossCoast Guard Distinguished Service MedalSilver StarLegion of MeritDistinguished Flying CrossCoast Guard MedalBronze StarPurple HeartMeritorious ServiceAir MedalCommendation MedalAchievement MedalGold Lifesaving MedalSilver Lifesaving MedalPresidential Unit CitationMeritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Team CommendationCoast Guard E RibbonGood Conduct MedalReserve Good Conduct MedalCombat Action RibbonEnlisted Person of the Year RibbonCoast Guard Arctic Service MedalSpecial Operations Service RibbonSea Service RibbonRestricted Duty RibbonBasic Training Honor Graduate RibbonRecruiting Service RibbonDistinguished Marksman MedalDistinguished Pistol Shot MedalSilver Excellence-in-Competition Rifle MedalSilver Pistol Excellence-in-Competition MedalBronze Excellence-in-Competition Rifle MedalBronze Pistol Excellence-in-Competition MedalExpert Rifle MedalExpert Pistol MedalSharpshooter Rifle RibbonSharpshooter Pistol RibbonRifle Marksmanship RibbonPistol Marksmanship Ribbon