Thanks for the help?

2022-09-22T20:15:58-04:00

Edited. Question was answered by HRC.

Thanks everyone for the help! Just trying to take care of my Soldiers and make sure they receive their proper awards :)

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2022 9:55 PM

2022-09-22T21:55:32-04:00

Uhhhh yea that doesn’t make sense. Not what you said but the reason why your not eligible for an overseas stripe along with the GWOTEM. Unless Your in a place like Kuwait which your probably not because you received your combat patch. Something is not adding up. Because I received mine two years ago.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2022 11:39 PM

2022-09-22T23:39:37-04:00

Sounds like Spartan Shield to me. Which is not surprising.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 23 at 2022 1:11 AM

2022-09-23T01:11:57-04:00

One thing I have found is that what is stated on orders is set in stone, unless you can get that "stone" changed. GWOTEM is no longer, so that is out. You should get the GWOTSM, as it was not related to a theater of war. With proof of service during this time, you should be able to apply to HRC to get it. The key to your problems is how the orders are worded. I have found the Military can get around lots of things as special duty payment, awards by the way they word the orders. I have once, fought the wording of my orders once and won.

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 23 at 2022 8:48 AM

2022-09-23T08:48:04-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, a couple of things.

First, the GWOTEM IS still being issued. There seems to be some confusion about it not being eligible for award after 2005. This is incorrect. What changed in 2005 is that it is no longer eligible for award for service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 30 APR 05. This is because these missions changed from DoD missions to State department missions after that date.

Second, it's pretty cut and dried on eligibility. There are defined operations and areas of eligibility. The lists are at the following:
- Approved Operations:
https://prhome.defense.gov/Portals/52/Documents/MRA_Docs/OEPM/GWOT-E%20Medal%20-%20Approved%20Ops%20-%202022%2003%2018.pdf
- Approved AORs:
https://prhome.defense.gov/Portals/52/Documents/MRA_Docs/OEPM/GWOT-EM%20-%20Approved%20AOEs%20for%20Ops%20-%202022%2007%2001.pdf

Additionally, keep in mind that you can't be awarded "I was there" medals twice for the same period of service. If there is a specific award tied to the operation you are doing, then that's going to trump the GWOTEM (of course, you can decline that one and get the GWOTEM if you're eligible and so desire).

First step - see if the operation is covered. If it's not, then do not pass go, do not collect any service medal (at least the GWOTEM that is).

Second step - consult your location - "Middle East" and "within CENTCOM's AOR" doesn't cut it. Look up the specific country and read the remarks to see if there are any exceptions noted.

To your question about a reserve component Soldier with no active duty time and their eligibility for the GWOTSM. Pretty hard to do since it's only awarded for support to operations in the area and not for those done in a training status. Exact wording is, "Soldiers serving on active duty primarily for training in Initial Entry Training (IET) or Basic Training (BT), Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and/or for Annual Training (AT), Officer training courses, Warrant Officer training courses, and/or any training not in direct support of the GWOT operations are not authorized award of the GWOTSM." The only exception noted is that if you were a NG soldier called onto SAD for airport security, you might be eligible.

404 - File or directory not found.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2022 7:02 PM

2022-09-23T19:02:12-04:00

- Overseas Service Stripes ended for multiple areas to include Kuwait unsure about KSA.
- Overseas Service Ribbon is still eligible if you're there long enough or complete an overseas tour, have S1 figure that out.
- I was under the impression GWOTEM was still eligible for that AO, but there have been some recent changes, clear as mud.
- Combat patch is authorized for KSA regardless of if you're on OIR or OEF-SS.

AO S1 told us one thing and Fort Hood told us another, dig into the reg and policy memos.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Sep 24 at 2022 8:59 AM

2022-09-24T08:59:12-04:00

I appreciate that you are putting in maximum effort like this to ensure you take care of your Soldiers and their awards, etc. Good stuff!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2022 11:06 AM

2022-09-24T11:06:08-04:00

ARCENT G1 used to maintain a page with all the different award breakdowns in the mid east. They have made it much more complicated than it needs to be.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2022 11:32 AM

2022-09-26T11:32:48-04:00

From what I read in your various comments you are not warranted either. The pay for being in an area does not trigger Army policies for awards. You are there on a peace time mission. By your logic must SFABs would get them also. The difference is what you mission is. If you were there for support of a combat operations like if you were there with the AF and the aircraft were running air strikes, then yes. If you are there just to partner with an allied nation, then no. It seems that you may be digging in the wrong side of the fence. If you do not receive campaign credit then you most likely don't qualify.

Response by SFC Claude Hatch made Oct 31 at 2022 8:13 AM

2022-10-31T08:13:09-04:00

This whole question is just to stupid for a response and then you start with CPT (p)? Lol

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2022 3:12 PM

2022-11-01T15:12:18-04:00

So, I inquired with HRC and received the following.

Good afternoon CPT Box,

"Thanks for contacting the Awards and Decorations Branch with your inquiry. I just want to follow up with you to ensure we answered all your questions.

Just to recap, the GWOTEM is limited to servicemembers deployed abroad in support of OEF, OIF, OND, OIR and OFS. Base on the PCS orders you provided; you were call to active duty for “Operational Support to ______"

The mission you are under is to __________. This is not in support of Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).
If your PCS was in support of one of the follow - OEF, OIF, OND, OIR and OFS (2-20d address locations) AR 600-8-22 para 2-20(3) would apply –

3) Only Soldiers in a deployed status (for example, temporary change of station, TDY, WIAS) are eligible for the GWOTEM. Personnel supporting the Global War on Terrorism in a non-deployed status (for example, PCS), whether stationed at home (in the United States) or overseas, are eligible only for the GWOTSM

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns. I hope this information helps."

So, looks like my Soldiers and I aren't authorized. Kind of weird we are going to have a combat patch and stripes and not a single ribbon to show for it. This includes the "M" Device for the Army Reserve Forces Medal.

Lol I don't get it. But HRC Gods have spoken.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2022 7:23 PM

2022-11-02T19:23:23-04:00

Sir,
This is a common confusion. Semantics and “the obvious” does not govern eligibility of the various things you ask about, regulations do. Service Medal criteria are found in AR600-8-22, Overseas Service Bars in AR670-1 (Para 21-29) and “combat patches” – or whatever they’re called nowadays - in AR670-1 (Para 21-18). Additionally, ALARACT messages may add, remove, or modify criteria until an update to those regulations is published. In terms of combat patches, Hostile Fire Pay, Overseas Service Bars, and Service Medals, receiving one does not in itself make one eligible for one or more of the others, the regulatory criteria on each must be met individually.

Response by LTC Matt Mularoni made Jan 4 at 2023 12:01 PM

2023-01-04T12:01:25-05:00

If you are in the CENTCOM AOR, the rules are very specific on the specific country and specific operation(s) that are being supported. The ARCENT G1 publishes a very comprehensive by country matrix all things earned while in the AOR. Also, awards and other benefits are also specie to the orders initially deploying you and your Soldiers to the AOR. There is not a “blanket” order just because you are in the Middle East.

Response by SFC Lyle Green made Feb 12 at 2023 3:02 PM

2023-02-12T15:02:40-05:00

I think I caught that GWOTEM once, took 2 weeks of penicillin to get rid of it. Be careful whose holster you put your gun in.

Response by PO1 Todd McMillin made Apr 1 at 2023 1:20 PM

2023-04-01T13:20:29-04:00

Whatever the current regulations are and there's supposed to be updated paperwork each year. The problem is the 5 Sided Wind Tunnel can't keep track of $10 TRILLION Missing Money because 9/11 blew up the records in WTC-7. What makes you believe a bunch of overpaid college kids with degrees in underwater basketweaving can keep track of their Enlisted Awards? Especially, since the Pentagon is full of more secrets and leaks then a nuclear submarine with screen doors at every hatch.

Response by C2C/Unranked Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2023 6:45 PM

2023-04-24T18:45:17-04:00

مرحبا هلا