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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I would definitely let the S 1 know, show him the orders and then see if he complies. If not then request mast or whatever they call it in the Army.
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This is the first time I have ever heard of a unit taking away a ribbon that has been awarded! I do not think its right and as you stated AR 600-8-22 lists the rules and your tour fall within the regulations. I think this is very bad judgement by S1.
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Don't sweat it. If it was worth points towards advancement like a Good Conduct or Achievement then it would matter. Otherwise the Overseas Service Ribbon is just a gedunk ribbon. I know it's disappointing to removes pretties off your chest but it's not worth heartacking over.
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Your S1 was 100% wrong for removing the award. You served the entire tour with your unit, therefore considered a "normal" tour, and it was long enough to be considered an "overseas tour".
This should be an easy fix. Show the reg to the S1 Actual (not some Private snuffy or buck Sergeant) and if they still resist, IG.
This should be an easy fix. Show the reg to the S1 Actual (not some Private snuffy or buck Sergeant) and if they still resist, IG.
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I was stationed overseas in Germany for thirty one months on the Eastern boarder and never received any such award. But that was from 1968-1970. Don’t know if that was even a ribbon back in those days. Sgt. B. Saunders, Fulda Kazern, Fulda Germany.
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I deployed in '14 for 5m 3w and a couple of days. So I know I don't get a sleeve stripe (hella bent about that, our leadership tried extending our deployment, didn't work) and I'm not sure if we got a OSR. I don't look at my ERB in detail, or my iPerms. News to me if we did get a OSR. By the time I deployed, they were handing out ribbons, medals and everything else like consolation prizes. "Hooray, we all got one." It kind of takes away from their meaning. Anyway, yeah if it says you don't get it in the AR, the DAPAM or other, then it is what it is.
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Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 AskHRC
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You earned it by being there, what is the reason for denial if it was awarded it should be honored. POLITICS!
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