Posted on Jun 1, 2015
My new unit says I don't qualify for the Overseas Service Ribbon awarded to me by my previous unit. Are they right?
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I deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 with Temporary Change of Station (TCS) orders that said my tour would be no longer than 270 days (about 9 months). My tour ended up being 8 months and 1 day, as my unit redeployed a few weeks early. The unit I deployed with awarded me the Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR) for having completed a tour. I arrived at my current unit a few months ago, and prior to my recent appearance at the promotion board, S1 reviewed my records and removed the OSR from my ERB, stating that I didn't serve overseas long enough to qualify for the OSR. My Platoon Sergeant is the one who made me aware of S1's decision to remove my OSR, and he hasn't disagreed with S1's decision or made any moves to investigate the situation, so I did the research on my own.
AR 600-8-22 says that the OSR is awarded to Soldiers who are credited with a normal overseas tour completion according to AR 614-30. AR 614-30 says that a Soldier has completed a tour if he serves to within 60 days of the prescribed tour. I was deployed to within 21 days of my prescribed tour, and my early return wasn't under my control or by my request; my whole unit redeployed a few weeks early. According to my research, I should be able to keep my OSR.
I'm going to print my TCS deployment orders and take them to S1 to show that my prescribed tour was only 9 months, but beyond that, I haven't decided what to do. Has anyone else been in this situation, or can anyone explain where I went wrong in my evaluation? What would you do in my situation?
AR 600-8-22 says that the OSR is awarded to Soldiers who are credited with a normal overseas tour completion according to AR 614-30. AR 614-30 says that a Soldier has completed a tour if he serves to within 60 days of the prescribed tour. I was deployed to within 21 days of my prescribed tour, and my early return wasn't under my control or by my request; my whole unit redeployed a few weeks early. According to my research, I should be able to keep my OSR.
I'm going to print my TCS deployment orders and take them to S1 to show that my prescribed tour was only 9 months, but beyond that, I haven't decided what to do. Has anyone else been in this situation, or can anyone explain where I went wrong in my evaluation? What would you do in my situation?
Overseas
Awards
AR 600-8-22
ERB
Ribbons
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 334
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I find this a crock of poop. You go overseas, do what you do and then they tell you you don't qualify for an award for going overseas. I have to remind myself that common sense is not a military term.
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SPC Denton McLaughlim
SFC(P) (Join to see) it is what it is. Found it typical of what could be called Army logic.
Over a year with working at the "Joint Task Force" JTF GTMO.
I was getting out and quite honestly, don't really care about getting this award or that.
I just enjoy the irony of working JTF over a year, working with Mavy personnel on a daily basis, and not getting a joint service ribbon.
Over a year with working at the "Joint Task Force" JTF GTMO.
I was getting out and quite honestly, don't really care about getting this award or that.
I just enjoy the irony of working JTF over a year, working with Mavy personnel on a daily basis, and not getting a joint service ribbon.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC Denton McLaughlim - What medal do you thing you should be entitled? I'm not aware of any ribbon for just serving on a task force.
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SSG Charlie Carlson
It used to be that if you were awarded a campaign medal or ribbon you did not get the OSR. That changed in 2006. With that said I earned my OSR for being stationed in Panama for 4 years, then 6 months back in Panama, 6 months in Bosnia, and 12 months in Iraq. So what numeral device am I authorized to wear?
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Without digging out all of the references I had to use - and this is somewhat convoluted - the short answer is your S-1 is correct and you should not have been credited with a short tour.
Afghanistan has a "non-standard" tour length (so does Iraq), and as such a short tour is defined as 9 months consecutively served, or 11 months non-consecutive. The latter is more for air crews, but might apply to other logistics personnel who find themselves in and out of the country.
Afghanistan has a "non-standard" tour length (so does Iraq), and as such a short tour is defined as 9 months consecutively served, or 11 months non-consecutive. The latter is more for air crews, but might apply to other logistics personnel who find themselves in and out of the country.
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CPL Timothy Dixon
Things have changed since 1972 Nam, To all you men please always take care. We have got your back. Rest easy
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CPT Lawrence Cable
But since the tour was shortened by the Army and not the soldier, doesn't that qualify as a completed tour? 614-30 is just a bit more than a hair confusing.
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1SG (Join to see)
CPT Lawrence Cable - Unfortunately no. That would make it a fragmented tour, and make the time threshold eleven months instead of nine.
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It appears you do not qualify...
Q3: How long do I have to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan to be awarded the OSR?
A3: IAW AR 614-30, Soldiers who serve a minimum of 11 cumulative months (within a 24 month period) or 9 continuous months in a TCS/TDY status may receive overseas tour credit for a completed short tour.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Overseas%20Service%20Ribbon%20OSR
Q3: How long do I have to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan to be awarded the OSR?
A3: IAW AR 614-30, Soldiers who serve a minimum of 11 cumulative months (within a 24 month period) or 9 continuous months in a TCS/TDY status may receive overseas tour credit for a completed short tour.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Overseas%20Service%20Ribbon%20OSR
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SSG Rick Burton
I know that. I’m sorry I didn’t have time to type all that out at the moment I wrote IG, because of all the people who said there was no chance it was over and done.
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SFC Michael Allday
SSGBURTON, If you don't have time to type all your information that you want read then don't just type what you put and leave it. Its irresponsible and leaves you open for criticism. Think of your actions before you go forward.
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CPT (Join to see)
Agreed - I was in the same boat simply by our flights coming back being more efficient than planned. I think it would be worthwhile to contact your previous S1 to see if there was any paperwork submitted as an exemption to policy. Typically if the tour is ended early you get credited for its completion.
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