The Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon was created in May 1986 and is awarded to any member of the U.S. Naval Reserve who, while serving as a drilling reservist, completes twenty four cumulative months of duty onboard a U.S. Naval Reserve Ship.

The term “Naval Reserve Ship” refers to any self-propelled Naval Reserve ship, boat, or craft operated under the operational control of fleet or type commanders.

The Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon is also granted to members of embarked Naval Reserve staffs, provided that at least half of the embarked reserve drills qualified as underway drills. The Naval Reserve Sea Service is not eligible for service performed by reservists who were called to active duty. In such cases, the active duty service would qualify towards the award of the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.