the nco professional military education graduate ribbon was established by the secretary of the air force on 28 august 1962. the ribbon is awarded to noncommissioned officers of the united states air force for completion of prescribed noncommissioned officer professional development programs. approved programs are the nco preparatory course, airman leadership school, nco leadership school, nco academy, and senior nco academy. select professional development programs of other services may also be counted for award of the ribbon. eligible courses are the army sergeants major academy, navy senior enlisted academy, and coast guard chief petty officer academy. the ribbon is awarded to individuals who complete the course in-residence and may not be awarded to those who only complete the correspondence course. additional awards of the nco professional military education graduate ribbon are denoted by oak leaf clusters.