Posted on Jun 1, 2015
SGT 94 E Radio Comsec Repairer
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Osr medal
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?
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Responses: 333
SFC Mark Biggs
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Stick to your guns. You are right. Wear the award. When you ETS or retire, make sure it is listed on your DD214.

Go to your Division G1 and discuss this with the Sergeant Major there.
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SPC Jeff Curren
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Any ribbon that goes on dd214 stays and you can display
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1stSgt Eugene Caporale
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This doesn’t sound logical. You were deployed there, did your job and above all survived. You’re platoon sgt sounds like he or she is not willing to put the effort in on your behalf. Has your sgt been deployed to experience what you did? As a senior 1st Sgt I do not agree with their decision !
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Cpl Kenneth Osborn
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You have the right to wear the Osr.
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SP5 Christopher's Frames
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Take it to s1, they should not have removed it based on what your saying. DA n your branch normally award the overseas ribbon,
( at least until 1995 not a unit )
I received my 1st overseas ribbon at Fort Bliss after completing a 2 year tour in Germany
(1980 - 1982) same upon leaving in 1989 from Germany
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1LT Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Officer
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Its not even an award, it's a ribbon. Who cares.
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PO3 Aaron McClain
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WOW, never heard any nonsense like that before. As a 9 year Honorably Discharged Veteran its my opinion they have no right to take it away from you with one exception (Dishonorable Discharge)in which case you loose everything.
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Capt John Dominicis
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I was deployed to Afghanistan for 179, repatriated after 92 on a medical, no award, but credit for the tour. Your award is based on completion of the deployment, UP TO 179 days.
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SFC Ron Pack
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If you take this up with the S-1 and don't get any satisfaction then take it to the IG. Without looking over your shoulder and back checking you sounds like you did the research. Sometimes S-1 thinks they know more than they do and have to be reminded. Noisy wheel gets the grease.
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MSgt John Dixon
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Keep challenging right up the chain of command
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