The Kentucky National Guard Active Duty Ribbon honors Kentucky National Guard members who carry out three or more days of service honorably and consecutively in the event of a state emergency or crisis.
The Kentucky National Guard is composed of the Kentucky Army National Guard and the Kentucky Air National Guard; it was converted from the Kentucky State Guard into its current form in 1912 and saw its first official service in this incarnation supporting efforts to contain border violence during the Mexican Revolution. The Army component is headquartered in Frankfort, and the Air component, established in 1947, consists of the 123d Airlift Wing and makes its base in Louisville.
The ribbon is dark blue with a thick vertical yellow stripe in the center.
Subsequent award may be indicated by oak leaf clusters.