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?
322K
771
465
203
203
0
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
Contact your Congressional Representative’s office and explain the situation to them.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I do not know how the Army awards ribbons or medals. As a retired Navy person I know the Navy’s system. When an award is given it is the members( unless it was fraduantly obtained).
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
O would take all the right paper work with that reg and request it be put back on, or I'll be going to IG.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Never heard of such a thing, but if you have the appropriate Regs concerning your deployment, it sounds to me if the S-1 has a serious bug up his backside for you. You may end up having to go up the chain of command to get this corrected.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
You have clearly served and within the allotted time frame, and you have earned the award. I would ask for the reason why they are taking it away from you, and ask them to put it in writing on the applicable form; I would then take that form with the guidelines for receiving the award up the chain of command, until I either got the award or a damn good reason as to why I receive it, only to have it taken away.
Now, this is just me, but I would record audio and video of the meeting with everyone that I had to go to. You can buy a pen at Geek.com that writes and it has a audio and video recording capabilities in it and no one can tell; I have several and I record basically everything and no one ever knows it. Also, it cost less than $10.00.
Good luck! Thank You for your service to a grateful American citizen! God bless you and no matter what, you know that you earned that award and more! I salute you and appreciate your honorable sacrifices for our nation and our freedoms, God bless you!
Now, this is just me, but I would record audio and video of the meeting with everyone that I had to go to. You can buy a pen at Geek.com that writes and it has a audio and video recording capabilities in it and no one can tell; I have several and I record basically everything and no one ever knows it. Also, it cost less than $10.00.
Good luck! Thank You for your service to a grateful American citizen! God bless you and no matter what, you know that you earned that award and more! I salute you and appreciate your honorable sacrifices for our nation and our freedoms, God bless you!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I was in infantry in nam and you only have to be in combat for more then 60days to get your cib and it's bigger then over seas ribbon so go for it do more research you will get to keep it it was awarded no the first place
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Same thing happened to me... I gave up fighting but when I went to the 1SG board 15 years after my deployment, a CSM said you have an "M" device with with no OSR, you didn't get selected because you didn't actually verify your ERB you just checked the block. So now I'm at the battle again.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I just don’t get anyone putting their country a bothers be for them selfs and their familes would not be able to get this award. What get my hairs up. Is cillivians do not understand military life. This award is also part of promotions. Not to say what our warriors go thew when deployed. I also am ofended about how our warriors get low pay and how thigs are being taken away from them.
I have my loved on deployed. I am an Air Force Brat. Please help this warrior get what he has earned. I love our troops HOOHA
I have my loved on deployed. I am an Air Force Brat. Please help this warrior get what he has earned. I love our troops HOOHA
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Once you are awarded the ribbon they cannot take it away without proof you did not serve your tour of 21 days in theater of operation they are trying to pull a fast one on you and I would take it to the IG
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google