how do you get a star on your national defense ribbon
National Defense Service Medal Additional awards of the National Defense Service Medal are authorized for members of the military who served in more than one of the eligible time periods. Each additional award is denoted by a ​3⁄16-inch bronze service star attached to the suspension and service ribbon of the medal (a six award is indicated by one ​3⁄16-inch silver star). A second award of the medal is not granted for reenlisting during the same time period or transferring between branches of service.[8]