The Maryland National Guard Emergency Duty Ribbon honors Maryland National Guard members who carry out service in the event of an emergency or other crisis as designated by the governor; the operation must last at least eight hours and typically entails maintaining or restoring order, protecting property and wellbeing, aiding local authorities, or offering general relief.
The Maryland National Guard is composed of the Maryland Army National Guard and the Maryland Air National Guard. The origins of the Army component date back to colonial militia activity as early as 1634 near the Chesapeake Bay; it is currently headquartered in Baltimore. The Air component, also based in Baltimore, consists primarily in the 175th Wing and originated in 1921 with the federal recognition of the 104th Observation Squadron.
The ribbon is red and is bisected by a thin vertical yellow stripe; it features a thinner black stripe and a thin white stripe proceeding outward on each edge.