[11][12] The Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon was established on 3 April 1976 by order of the Air Force Chief of Staff, General David Charles Jones.

If the trainee fails to reach a score of at least 90%, the airman or guardian is ineligible no matter how well they performed in other areas of basic training.

The Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon was created on 3 March 1984, with the first presentation in April of that same year to Seaman apprentice Scott Woodard.

Retroactive presentations of the Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon may be awarded upon application from the service member to the United States Coast Guard.

In such cases, the award will be presented for basic training graduation prior to 1984, only with supporting documentation and a written request from the service member.