Deployment to South Eastern Turkey SSI-FWTS?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 20:20:11 -0400

I was part of a deployment to turkey in 2016-2017 time frame and we received all the normal “deployment” pay you would get on any other deployment, but was told we weren’t able to wear the deployment patch, but only received the GWOTEM. And today I noticed someone that went one the same mission (about a year after us) wearing our units SSI-FWTS(deployment patch) And then a few months back our unit( just a different BN) went to the same place and they got to wear the SSI-FWTS also. I read AR670-1 over a few times and couldn’t seem to find a reason why they are able to wear it. Maybe I’m just unaware of something that wasn’t ever taught to me. Also, on my nato orders to turkey it says we were a part of Operation Atlantic Sentry. And that mission is always the same operation. And ideas what is going on here?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 9:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 21:07:49 -0400

Soldiers deployed to Turkey were only authorized the SSI-FWTS if those deployments were in support of OIF from 2003-2010 or OND from 2010-2011 [AR670-1 19-17, (14) & (15)]. I have not heard of any other operations being authorized for a SSI-FWTS, but it's not something I actively follow. From my knowledge Atlantic Resolve is a training mission, so I doubt that it would qualify as "wartime service" and thus it wouldn't get a "wartime service" patch. Easiest way to find out why someone is wearing it is just to ask them. You'll either find out the reasoning why you should be authorized to wear one, or you'll help someone else realize they shouldn't be wearing it before they get chewed out.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 10:08 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 22:08:48 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Welcome to RallyPoint.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 10 at 2020 9:49 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 09:49:47 -0400

Quick way to tell is if you received $65 a month hostile fire pay and EM no Fed income tax and O and W first $2K exempt , I think, from Fed Income tax. Then you know you are in a combat zone.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 11:19 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 23:19:59 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I was deployed to the Middle East for OIR and only if you went to Syria or Iraq could you get the SSI-FWTS. If you wanted any to get the OIR campaign medal instead of the GWOTEM you needed 30 days in theater. We were authorized to have overseas service bars. My old battalion was stationed literally down the road from me and they got the GWOTEM but were under different orders so were not eligible for anything but that. They did not get the overseas service bars, but could get the SSI-FWTS if they went to Iraq, Afghanistan, or Syria.

So big question is did you step foot in a combat zone? If so you can get the memorandum and wear it. If not you are not authorized it. The other person either did and is eligible or did not and is not authorized it and may be not familiar with the regulations (giving them the benefit of the doubt).

Response by SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee made Sep 11 at 2020 10:54 AM

SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 10:54:32 -0400

DA 4187 Request SSI-FWTS add to your record. Attach deployment order or redeployment order with your name on the deployment list. If you can wear one, HR will add it to your record. I didn't ask for Desert Storm (1991) added to my packet because all I did was sitting at the camp (forgot the name) by the airport in Saudi waiting to be assigned to a unit fresh out of boot camp. My reason, I didn't do anything except being there while some died for it. There is no honor in wearing something I did not earn it. In fact, I would be embarrassed to wear one. I don't know how some people could wear things they did not earn.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2022 9:15 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:15:19 -0500