Awarded to U.S. Marine Corps non-commissioned officers and former non-commissioned officers who have successfully trained and qualified as Marine Corps Drill Instructors. To qualify, a Marine most hold the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 8511 or must have served a successful tour of duty in one of the following positions: (1) Recruiting Training Battalion S-3, or Sergeant-Major, or; (2) Officer Candidate Company First Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant, or Platoon Commanders. Additionally, the duties of the Marine's billet must be executed satisfactorily for three years before the award is authorized. The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon is retroactively authorized to October 6, 1952. Multiple awards of the decoration are denoted by service stars. The award was created in July, 1997.