Established in May of 1986 and retroactive to August 15, 1974, the Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon honors Navy Reservists who carry out two cumulative years (24 months) of service aboard a designated Navy Reserve vessel. Embarked staff may also be eligible if a minimum of half their reserve drills qualify as underway drills. Vessels whose crew is eligible for the award may paint the award’s colors on the bulwark.
The ribbon is light blue and is bisected by a dark blue vertical stripe flanked on either side by a thin vertical yellow stripe; a thin red stripe appears toward each edge.