Can someone help clarify the regulations for Overseas Tour Credit and qualifying for Overseas Service Ribbon?

2016-10-03T01:52:10-04:00

Here is my scenario, and I need your help to determine if I have been tracking correctly.

Deployment to Afghanistan, scheduled for 9 months, but entire unit was sent home at 7 month mark.

I have been tracking Rule 8 in Table 3-2 from AR 614-30. Stating that you need 9 consecutive months to be awarded Overseas Tour completion, thus authorizing the wear of Overseas Service Ribbon.

At a recent ASU inspection my CO, asked why I wasn't wearing OSR, I stated the above reference, and he said he was in similar situation at Campbell and said his unit referred to rule 2 in Table 3-2 AR 614-30.

The FAQ on HRC website also states 9 consecutive months, but also says they are not the approval for Tour completion and to refer to AR 614-30.

Is this something that different units/S1's interpret differently? What is your take on this scenario? I know some fellow RallyPoint troops have experienced something similar, whether it be personally or as a leader. I'd greatly appreciate your input.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 2:04 AM

2016-10-03T02:04:25-04:00

Hmmmm

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 4:29 AM

2016-10-03T04:29:17-04:00

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member there is no prescribed tour length for Afghanistan, hence rule 2 cannot be applied. Unfortunately, even though the deployment was scheduled to be 9 months, if you only have 7 months completed then you are not eligible for an OSR for that period of service. If that CO was in my unit, then during his annual
PRR I would catch this oversight and inform him that he needs to remove the erroneous award.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 3 at 2016 6:23 AM

2016-10-03T06:23:04-04:00

most interesting...

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Oct 3 at 2016 10:21 AM

2016-10-03T10:21:41-04:00

I'm sure someone can answer this question - perhaps someone in the S/G1 world or maybe the IG's office.
That said - In My Humble Opinion - Where a unit is deployed for specific period of time that period of time would be the length of tour. If the powers that be determine the deployed unit has satisfied it's mission in less time than the original tour length and orders the unit to it's home station then the members of that unit should not be denied recognition for a completed tour because their chain of command believed they had completed their mission.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Oct 3 at 2016 12:21 PM

2016-10-03T12:21:08-04:00

Short answer: although you may have returned early - refer to your ERB in the deployment section and your deployment orders and if the dates span the 9 months, then you are good to go. We had a similar situation in our Kuwait deployment.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2016 3:11 PM

2016-10-04T15:11:25-04:00

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member Would you not fall under rule #1? 7 months of a 9 month deployment should fall "Within 60 days of completion of the prescribed tour"

Response by SPC Latonya Syndab made Oct 10 at 2016 8:46 PM

2016-10-10T20:46:18-04:00

AR 600-8-22, Military Awards, Paragraph 5-4.
AR 614-30, Overseas Service, Table 3-2 and Table 3-3.
AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.

Response by 1SG Landrey Terry made Oct 14 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-10-14T12:31:09-04:00

Q3: How long do I have to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan to be awarded the OSR?

A3: IAW AR 614-30, Soldiers who serve a minimum of 11 cumulative months (within a 24 month period) or 9 continuous months in a TCS/TDY status may receive overseas tour credit for a completed short tour.

Response by 1SG Landrey Terry made Oct 14 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-10-14T12:35:10-04:00

Response by SSgt Brandt Lancaster made Jan 14 at 2018 9:29 AM

2018-01-14T09:29:28-05:00

When i was deployed to iraq for operation enduring freedom i had a similar issue. Based on personal experience ribbons, even personal ribbons, are issued at a company level. With my personal issue our company s1 had to request for authorization to wear the osr even though our tour was shorter than the prescribed time. My best advise is talk to your s1 and see what they say as they are the administrative "experts"