How do I determine the amount of time overseas that counts towards the Overseas Service Ribbons for Hawaii Tours?

2019-01-03T15:01:31-05:00

While the AR 614-30 is pretty cut and dry that a 24 month tour in Hawaii and Alaska constitutes an Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR), my question is how to determine the amount? It seems like a silly thing to ask for, but I know a lot of Soldiers who tend to spend multiple tours there like I did, so I'm invested in the answer.

In my particular case, I was stationed there for 5 years 4 months consecutively (Feb2012-Jun2017). It was a first term, but as it was over 24 months Table 3-1 says I'm eligible. Thanks for the help!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 3:06 PM

2019-01-03T15:06:56-05:00

Wait....you get an overseas service ribbon for Hawaii? Wtf? I had to get mine when ACTUALLY over seas. Hawaii is home base man. Sheesh handing out ribbons for breathing these days.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 5:35 PM

2019-01-03T17:35:22-05:00

Are you asking how many osrs you get from 1 tour length of 5 years 4 months?

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jan 3 at 2019 6:40 PM

2019-01-03T18:40:58-05:00

If you served for 5 years overseas on a tour that is designated as requiring a minimum of 24 months, then you are on the safe side. The reg is clear.

It is always a good idea to sit with the S1 and the Reg to verify that you met the criteria. Peace of mind.

I was audited once for having too many overseas ribbons when I showed up in Cairo, Egypt. In the end, I was on the safe side. The point is, audits happen.

Good luck.

Response by SSG Michael Needham made Jan 3 at 2019 10:39 PM

2019-01-03T22:39:10-05:00

Just curious when did this ribbon become authorized ? I know regs change but OSR was never an option back in the stone ages (71-86 ) pulled a long tour there in the 70' . Still it would have been nice to have

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jan 4 at 2019 1:40 PM

2019-01-04T13:40:54-05:00

If you were there consecutively for 5 years, you only had one tour.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2019 7:02 AM

2019-01-05T07:02:51-05:00

See here I go told as soon as you leave you get one.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Jan 8 at 2019 3:22 AM

2019-01-08T03:22:53-05:00

Ribbons are good, when they are issued properly for the purpose they have been introduced to represent.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2023 1:17 AM

2023-05-08T01:17:22-04:00

Check Table 3-2, rule 19. Seems like you might be eligible for two OSRs for this period if the specified tour length is 24 months. This happened to me when I spent over 5 years in Germany on an 24-month unaccompanied tour and I received two tour credits.