I’ve never worn anything like full mess dress, only service dress, but if I’m not mistaken for certain ribbons there is a medal analog to be worn on mess dress. I can’t help but come to the conclusion that this is one of those ribbons that will get an actual medal variant for mess dress use because it seems like we’re all living in a Babylon Bee posting these days. Also it seems that whomever is in the position to make such a determination will make it based on politics or career advancement.
Cue the pictures of the Nork/old Soviet generals festooned with all sorts of medals and badges.