Do you get an overseas service bar for Guantanamo Bay deployment?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:02:05 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 10 at 2019 1:07 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:07:50 -0500

No. It's a regular duty station, not a deployment.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 1:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:10:06 -0500

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.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 10 at 2019 1:18 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 13:18:44 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member , AR 670-1, para 19-28 cover the information you are asking for.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 3:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 15:00:30 -0500

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.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 7:39 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 19:39:20 -0500

I'm unsure what an Overseas Service Bar is, but if you're referring to the OSR, then the answer should be yes. Your S1 will have the best answer and explanation for you though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2022 6:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Nov 2022 18:29:22 -0500

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.