Does a Kuwait deployment still qualify for a service stripe?

2016-07-28T06:28:27-04:00

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Jul 28 at 2016 6:32 AM

2016-07-28T06:32:37-04:00

In 2014 it did when I was there. But as of now, not entirely sure. It is dependent on what your orders say. If in support of OEF/OIF, then yes. If just a normal PCS, then no. In either case you are authorized the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 6:37 AM

2016-07-28T06:37:37-04:00

2015 it did when I was there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 7:02 AM

2016-07-28T07:02:35-04:00

Do you mean overseas ribbon?

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jul 28 at 2016 11:10 AM

2016-07-28T11:10:58-04:00

SGT Ryan Trabing - Overseas service stripe? If it is over the 179 days and you are there for 180 days or more, then yes. If your commander has put in for a short tour if you are going to be there less than the 180 days that are required, then yes. If you only go for 30 days or so, it is considered TDY, then no. Just depends on how long your stay will be!

Here is and exert from 670-1:

21–29. Overseas service bars
a. Authorized wearers. Soldiers are authorized to wear overseas service bars as indicated below. Listed beginning
dates and ending dates are inclusive.
(1) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service outside CONUS, between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1946, both dates inclusive. In computing
overseas service, Alaska is considered outside CONUS. An overseas service bar is not authorized for a fraction of a
6–month period.
(2) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in Korea, between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. Credit toward an overseas service bar is authorized for each
month of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army serving in the designated hostile fire area in Korea
between 1 April 1968 and 31 August 1973. If a Soldier receives a month of hostile fire pay for a period(s) of service in
Korea, then the Soldier may also receive credit for a corresponding month towards award of an overseas service bar.
(3) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in Vietnam, between 1 July 1958 and 28 March 1973. The months of arrival to, and departure from Vietnam
are counted as whole months for credit toward the overseas service bar. If a Soldier receives a month of hostile fire pay
AR 670–1 • 10 April 2015 37
for a period(s) of TDY service in Vietnam, then the Soldier may also receive credit for a corresponding month towards
award of an overseas service bar.
(4) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in the Dominican Republic, between 29 April 1965 and 21 September 1966.
(5) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in Laos, between 1 January 1966 and 28 March 1973.
(6) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in Cambodia between 1 January 1971 and 28 March 1973. Personnel must qualify for hostile fire pay to
receive credit for an overseas service bar.
(7) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in Lebanon, between 6 August 1983 and 24 April 1984, for the two units listed in paragraph 21–17b(6).
(8) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in the Persian Gulf between 27 July 1987 and 1 August 1990, for Operation Earnest Will.
(9) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in the Persian Gulf between17 January 1991 and 31 August 1993, for Operation Desert Storm.
(10) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service who participated in El Salvador, between 1 January 1981 and 1 February 1992.
(11) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6-month period of Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service in Somalia, between 5 December 1992 and 31 March 1995.
(12) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of
the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 19 September 2001 and 31 December 2014; or Operation Enduring
Freedom-Philippines, between 19 September 2001 and a date to be determined.
(13) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the
Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 19 March 2003 and 31 August 2010.
(14) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service participating in Operation New Dawn in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the
Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 1 September 2010 and 31 December 2011.
(15) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service participating in OIR, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander,
CENTCOM, between 15 June 2014 and a date to be determined.
(16) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S.
Service participating in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of
the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 1 January 2015 and a date to be determined.
(17) The months of arrival to, and departure from the areas of operations during the periods indicated in paragraphs
21-29a(1) through (14) are counted as whole months only when the period of each deployment is over 6 months.
Periods of overseas service of less than 6 months of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service, which
otherwise meets the requirements for the award of the overseas service bar authorized in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through
(14) may be combined by adding the number of months and days spent in the area(s) of operation. For calculation
purposes, thirty days equal one calendar month. When continuous deployment periods are less than 6-month periods,
only the number of days in the months of arrival to, and departure from the area of operations are counted. Soldiers
must have 6 full months (in addition to any other time counted in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through(14)) for each
additional service bar worn.
b. Computation of World War II service.
(1) Service is computed between the dates of departure from, and arrival to a port in the United States or the
boundary of CONUS. The day of departure and the day of return are included. The expression “each 6-month period of
Federal service” is interpreted to authorize the wear of an overseas service bar for overseas service of various lengths,
performed either continuously or at intervals, when the total service equaled or exceeded 6 months. Thus, an individual
who served 4 months and 10 days outside CONUS, returned to CONUS, subsequently departed from the United States
to the same or another theater or country outside CONUS, and served an additional 1 month and 20 days in that theater
or country, is entitled to one bar. All active duty or service outside CONUS (for example, permanent, temporary, or
detached) is included in computing length of service, provided that the official duty of the individual required his or
her presence outside CONUS.
(2) Military personnel who served on transport vessels and on aircraft became eligible to wear the bar when their
total service outside CONUS equaled or exceeded 6 months.
(3) Service on the Great Lakes and in any harbor, bay, or other enclosed arm of the sea along the coast, and that
part of the sea which is within 3 miles of the continental limits of the United States, is not included in computing
length of service required.
38 AR 670–1 • 10 April 2015
(4) Periods during which military personnel were absent without leave or were in a desertion status, are not included
in computing length of service required.
(5) Periods during which military personnel were in the United States on TDY, detached service, or leave (even
though the individual was assigned overseas) are not included in computing length of service required.
(6) Periods during which military personnel were in confinement, which resulted in time lost are not included in
computing length of service required.
c. Description and how worn. See DA Pam 670-1.

Response by MSgt Peter Vatistas made Jul 28 at 2016 9:41 PM

2016-07-28T21:41:32-04:00

I was Air Force, but aren't you referring to the service bar? The service stripe, by my limited understanding, represents 3 years of service. Am I wrong here?

That being said, 180+ days in a combat zone qualifies the service bar. Kuwait, although it is a friendly country, is inside the designated "combat zone". It may seam a little strange and unfair to some, but remember - the troops that are in Kuwait know that they are in harms way more than if they were in Germany, and they could be tasked forward with a day of notice. So yeah... They get the bar and deserve it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 29 at 2016 12:13 AM

2016-07-29T00:13:38-04:00

It depends on what operation you are supporting (orders) and if your location is in the AOR announced via MILPER message and AR 670-1 para 21-29 a (11)-(17). Overseas service bars are awarded for 6 month increments. Check same para for computation method.

You must be in the AOR specified by MILPER message to be eligible, for that named operation or period/operation in the AR. Also specifies federal service.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 7:47 PM

2016-07-29T19:47:52-04:00

Yes, as long as you are there for more than 6 months, and your orders say your are / were supporting OEF, OIF, OFS, or OIR.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 10:14 AM

2016-08-01T10:14:12-04:00

Yes it is part of the theatre of operations. I spent the better part of a 12 month deployment in Kuwait.

Response by SFC Daniel McIntire made Aug 3 at 2016 8:29 AM

2016-08-03T08:29:08-04:00

SGT Trabing,
Yes it qualifies for overseas service stripe, overseas service ribbon, GWOTE medal, and combat service patch. As previously stated by others, orders must be in support of OIF, OEF, New Dawn and documented time in AO.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2016 5:43 PM

2016-08-03T17:43:24-04:00

I assume you mean an Overseas Service Bar for your ASU sleeve? The answer is yes, time served in Kuwait can qualify for an OSB as long as you meet all the other requirements listed in AR 670-1.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2017 12:22 PM

2017-10-25T12:22:53-04:00

No. Kuwait no longer qualifies for OSB, combat pay, hostile fire, etc. If you have duties across the border, depending where, you will earn towards the required 180 days if in the specified location. This is a change to previous years.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 3:34 PM

2018-02-12T15:34:09-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member it depends on what operation you are supporting. For OIR you do receive it:

AR 670-1 para 19-28a. 15. Participation in OIR, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 15 June 2014 and a date to be determined. The months of arrival to, and departure from the CENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.

There are similar ones from OFS, OND, OEF, etc.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2020 12:48 PM

2020-11-26T12:48:34-05:00