Posted on Dec 10, 2019
Do you get an overseas service bar for Guantanamo Bay deployment?
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I had a soldier ask me this question. They were “deployed” to Guantanamo Bay in 2016. I am not sure of the answer. I’ve tried looking up the regs, but it is very unclear on if this counts.
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 6
Suspended Profile
No, but they do receive the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon. It's not a combat zone so no bars.
Suspended Profile
Never said it did
Overseas Service Bars are reserved for those serving in a combat zone. Gitmo is not a combat zone. They should rate the Overseas Service Ribbon.
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GITMO, while a permanent duty station for many, is considered a deployment in support of OEF for certainly Nat’l Guard troops going to the camps for detention ops (as my unit did). The regulation (to me) is a bit unclear as to whether Overseas Service bars are awarded for OEF (or) CENTCOM AO, or only for OEF (in) CENTCOM AO. I was told to wear the service bar for GITMO by some, told not to since— by those who claim they are only for combat. So, I’ve taken it off. I think people are generally confused. The regulations seem to allude in several sections to fire pay and I think that’s where the consensus of combat ops comes from, but I think it’s not specifically clear that combat is a requirement— and it gets extra confusing when campaigns are listed that include non-combat deployments. CENTCOM is authorized to wear, and that’s not always combat. I know that’s not an answer but it’s to say— it’s not clear in all honesty. I personally do not care if I’m authorized or not, I just do what my unit wants or what the commander decides, haha. No skin off my back if someone says it’s not deserved. But, I see the reg as muddy in all honesty— looking at authorized campaigns and AOs.
Also, some have been approved to receive both the GWOTEM and GWOT, we got our GWOTEMs left on our DD214s and the GWOT removed despite others getting both. It’s a bureaucratic game imo and I don’t sit there thinking I deserve something whatever the case, but that’s just to point out further confusion around OEF related to GITMO & the awards or related.
Also, some have been approved to receive both the GWOTEM and GWOT, we got our GWOTEMs left on our DD214s and the GWOT removed despite others getting both. It’s a bureaucratic game imo and I don’t sit there thinking I deserve something whatever the case, but that’s just to point out further confusion around OEF related to GITMO & the awards or related.
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