Posted on Nov 24, 2017
Has anyone lost their Overseas Service Bar due to a name change of an Operation?
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So I have found a unique situation that I haven't see. Basically some of us are losing a Overseas service bar due to a name change in an operation. This has to do with Operations Enduring Freedom. Another Soldier I know was deployed to Qatar under OEF from 2015-2016. At that point it was called OEF. But now the latest version of AR 670-1 states this about OEF.
"Participation in OEF, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Com-mander, CENTCOM, between 11 September 2001 and 31 December 2014; OEF-Philippines, in the Philippines, between 19 September 2001 and 31 December 2014; OEF-Horn of Africa, in Djibouti, between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2014. The months of arrival to, and departure from the Philippines, Djibouti, or the CENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months."
So the time frame was renames and any operation from that point would count towards an Overseas Service Bar would have to Operation Iraqi Resolve or Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
At that point some of us were authorized the Overseas Bar but due to AR 670-1 some operations now don't count. Qatar being one of them. Also, looking at it Jordan would also be in the same boat. Technically they both fall under CENTCOM, which is a requirement but the naming convention on the operation would not qualify it.
Has anyone dealt with this? Would service in support of OEF in CENTCOM after 2014 not qualify you for the Overseas Service Bar?
"Participation in OEF, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Com-mander, CENTCOM, between 11 September 2001 and 31 December 2014; OEF-Philippines, in the Philippines, between 19 September 2001 and 31 December 2014; OEF-Horn of Africa, in Djibouti, between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2014. The months of arrival to, and departure from the Philippines, Djibouti, or the CENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months."
So the time frame was renames and any operation from that point would count towards an Overseas Service Bar would have to Operation Iraqi Resolve or Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
At that point some of us were authorized the Overseas Bar but due to AR 670-1 some operations now don't count. Qatar being one of them. Also, looking at it Jordan would also be in the same boat. Technically they both fall under CENTCOM, which is a requirement but the naming convention on the operation would not qualify it.
Has anyone dealt with this? Would service in support of OEF in CENTCOM after 2014 not qualify you for the Overseas Service Bar?
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Posted 7 y ago
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Sir, I would, also, fall into this boat, as I was deployed to Jordan, under OEF orders. My tour is still considered a combat one. Although, I do see what you're saying here, I, though, think, if OEF REALLY ended on 31 DEC 14, not all of those missions were complete at that time.
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CPT (Join to see)
I was wondering why they would be using that name then. I think it was someone just being lazy and just cutting orders for that operation using the same name as in the past.
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SSG (Join to see)
Gentlemen, I also fall into this group and am very curious if anyone has found a clear answer. I deployed to Qatar 2019-2020. My orders read: "Activation in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (SPARTAN SHIELD)."
The regulation is not clear, nor is the USARCENT AO Deployment Entitlements and Compensation Fact Sheet.
(https://www.usarcent.army.mil/Portals/1/Documents/190909%20Deployment%20Entitlements%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf?ver=2019-09-10-110253-333)
The regulation is not clear, nor is the USARCENT AO Deployment Entitlements and Compensation Fact Sheet.
(https://www.usarcent.army.mil/Portals/1/Documents/190909%20Deployment%20Entitlements%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf?ver=2019-09-10-110253-333)
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OEF ended on 31 dec 2014, everythings name changed at that point. Like afghanistan became freedoms sentinel. So you were probably not actually in ODF jist misinformed by COC at the time
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1LT(P) (Join to see)
Orders from 2015 still read as OEF, I looked at them yesterday. So, would you take the OSB off or leave it on? I took it off for now.
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Another thing to look into is the personnel policy guidance that applies that Soldier's situation. There is something in there about being in a Combat Zone Tax Exempt area designated by Congress being a requirement for the stripe.
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