Kilroy:
Changes in order of Ribbon tabs are not saved in the normal template using this method.

Lup:
I assume you are modifying the Ribbon using the Customize the Ribbon dialog. That should stick. Your customizations should be stored in the file Word.OfficeUI.

Are you on a corporate network?
Do your custom tabs stay with you?
Do you have any other versions of Word on your computer? (They share the CustomUI file.)

See:

• Customize the Ribbon (It doesn't take rocket science) by Greg Maxey, MVP
• Modifying the Ribbon in Microsoft Word