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: 333
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That is a deployment ribbon unless things have changed since I retired in 1993 All ribbons from previous commands are still valid
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The kind of chicken shit is why you should get out.
And why I'll never recommend joining again, to any young person.
This limited mentality isn't healthy...
And why I'll never recommend joining again, to any young person.
This limited mentality isn't healthy...
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I was not Army but 30 yeats in the Navy taught me to understand promotion boards and meeting regulations. Your S1 isn't out to get you, s/he is making sure your service record is accurate. If you have the paperwork to show that uou deserve the ribbon then show them. Paperwork runs the service. Always keep immaculate records. Always!
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My personal opinion is that most of us at one point or another probably deserved a ribbon or medal that we didn't get. In the grand scheme. There isn't a single medal or ribbon on my uniform that defines me, or validates my service. Personally, I could see from your platoon/company leadership's point of view that the more you push the issue, the more you just come off as a ribbon chaser. I'm not accusing you of being that. All I'm saying is, I think it's more important that your command views you as a valued member of the team, than a thorn in the side creating more administrative troubles added to their already ridiculous list of BS to take care of.
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I got to Korea in November 1990 and was pulled for desert storm in February 1991 instilled receive credit for my overseas ribbon
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I was active duty in Germany for a year and a half back in 1978-1979 before the OSR even came about. Unfortunately they didn't make it retroactive. I then did just over 8 months in Iraq in 2009 with the PAARNG and fell just shy of the required days. To me it is what it is. My shadow box is just fine with my 10 Federal Medals, 3 National Guard Medals, 17 total ribbons, 1 Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon, 1 PA Governor's Citation Ribbon, a CAB and numerous other qualification badges.
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In my opinion, if you were deployed there then you deserve the ribbon. That only makes sense. If your deployment was for 12 months but you had been wounded after only being there a month, you still get the medal and recognition.
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