Posted on May 11, 2017
WO1 Information Services Technician
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I was on a 36 month tour before HRC changed my DEROS due to being selected for WOCS. By the time I PCS to WOBC I will be at 16 months served. AR 614-30 states "Less than the normal prescribed overseas tour, curtailment is for the convenience of the Government, and through no request from or fault of the Soldier" and technically I didn't request to leave so am I eligible for a OSR?
Posted in these groups: Overseas logo OverseasUs medals Awards
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Responses: 15
SGM Erik Marquez
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Edited >1 y ago
yes but, the reg can be interpreted in this case to or not to support.
So if you want to wear that ribbon, I would write an email to HRC, lay out the events, and get their opinion.
If HRC (or who ever they pass you off to) supports wearing the OSR, then you take that letter and it goes in your "I love me" folder along with every other order, award, and document you have. To be used the day someone questions your wearing of the OSR.
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CW4 Scott Hyde
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Same drill for me. You are being reassigned. You completed your tour and PCS to WOCS. You did not request a curtailment or opt out of your overseas assignment as previously suggested. Now, you need to speak to the tech at your servicing S1 or the S1. They interpret regulations for a living, specifically in the area you are wanting help with. RP is great but nobody here makes the entry on your WEB.
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CSM Command Sergeant Major
CSM (Join to see)
>1 y
I agree. I'd post this question to S1 Net.
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LTC Kevin B.
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Based solely on what you've provided, I can see where someone might reasonably interpret that your submission of a WOCS packet as being your request to leave (to attend that school). However, you could easily (and reasonably) counter-argue that your leaving to attend WOCS is for the "convenience of the Government". After all, they have a mission that needs to be fulfilled (creating more Warrant Officers), and they have selected you to help fulfill that mission. So, assuming no other interpretation from someone with more relevant knowledge of the current regulations (I retired in 2011), I'd say "yes".
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Am I eligible for another Overseas Service Ribbon if my tour is shortened to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School?
LTC Doctrine Author
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You have successfully begun your transition to the WO corps. “This” is definitely the priority for you as you embark on the next phase of your career.

Sarcasm font....
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TSgt Hh 60 G Maintainer
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Edited >1 y ago
I have gone through 614-30 and have to agree with you, so long as your personnel center (S-1) also agrees and awards the OSR based on the reg.

The fact that your tour was shortened by DA should qualify you for the OSR.

the only sticky thing I uncovered is Ch. 7-2 where it says that a normal tour is 36 months:

"7–2. Tour lengths and exceptions
a. Unless otherwise indicated in the JTR, Soldiers assigned to Alaska and Hawaii will serve a minimum tour of 36 months whether accompanied or unaccompanied."
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SP5 Hank Vandenburgh PhD
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How about making these available to those of us who did extensive overseas tours prior to 1981.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
6 y
Why, if you are out, a ribbon is like having a million points on Rally Point! SP5 Hank Vandenburgh PhD
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1SG Senior Uas System Chief
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It is convenience of the Government. They could have assigned you a WOCS date for after your tour completion.
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CSM David Draughn
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Wrong! Read the regulation. You completed a tour. You left early at the convenience of the Government.
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SFC First Sergeant
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I would argue that your submission of a packet for Warrant Officer would be a request to DEROS early. The reason why is because, even though selection to attend WOBC can be interpreted as "for the convenience of the government," in submitting the packet, you knew the timelines involved. Even if you didn't know the start date of the school at the time of submission, you knew that if you were selected, you would be slotted for the next available class after the board. So, at minimum, that would mean that when you submitted the packet, you knew that there was at least a possibility of early DEROS as a result of submitting the packet. Not that I'm trying to come off harsh or disrespectful, but rather just offering my understanding of the situation.
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CW4 Scott Hyde
CW4 Scott Hyde
>1 y
Show me in a packet where it (the Soldier)requests a curtailment from overseas assignment.
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1SG Alex Larson
1SG Alex Larson
7 y
Agreed. Volunteering for the school was volunteering to DEROS early.
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CWO4 John Strachan
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Because it's all about that salad bar.
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