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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You and everyone who has set foot over there deserves the recognition. However, are you aware that service members were not awarded the National Defense medal if they enlisted between the end of Vietnam and the start of the Gulf War? Yeah, I served from 1977-1989 and do not have the right to wear/display it; y’all aboutca kick in the teeth.
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I'd suggest requesting for an overseas tour on your AKO. If that ribbon means anything to you, you'll earn it the legal way.
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YOU EARNED THE REWARD, THEY GAVE IT TO YOU, IT IS YOURS TO KEEP, THAT IS A BUNCH OF BULL CRAP, TO TAKE SOMETHING AWAY FROM YOU, UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING REALLY BAD YOU DID, I DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY, BUT IF YOU EARNED IT, IT SHOULD BE YOURS TO KEEP.
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I was deployed on a WESTPAC IN 83 for 6 months a received an overseas ribbon. If I'm not mistaken you qualify for that, plus any were you in a combat zone. You might have a beef about that. request mass or what is the equivalent to that in the Army. If you have to go all the way up to the base General it might be worth it.
By the way, Thank You for your service and sacrifice soldier.
Posted by Sgt. Morgan USMC Always and for Ever. Oorah,,,.
By the way, Thank You for your service and sacrifice soldier.
Posted by Sgt. Morgan USMC Always and for Ever. Oorah,,,.
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CWO2 Richard Rose
Sgt Brian Morgan you was awarded the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. The Overseas Service Ribbon is awarded for each 12 consecutive months overseas. This is the same for both the USMC & USN.
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Considering how easy they give out awards for almost nothing these days, I find myself amazed at the incompetence of the admins at your current unit. My last unit assignment was unit clerk and I used to review personnel records regularly there and the unit prior where I had an additional duty as Retention NCO. From my experience, you seem to be correct. Take your orders, plus the amended orders, showing your time shortened, and then photocopy an excerpt from the regulation, and bring them all to your S1. If he still balks at allowing you to keep your ribbon, tell him you feel compelled to register an I.G. complaint, then follow through on the complaint to the I.G.. Sometimes you have to play hardball with well meaning, but inexperienced Leaders to get them to see reason.
Be aware though, my experience comes from years ago, and the army loves to change things. Be very sure of yourself before making an I.G. complaint. Also, have the S1 explain fully WHY you don't qualify, not just a blanket you don't, and not tell you why.
Be aware though, my experience comes from years ago, and the army loves to change things. Be very sure of yourself before making an I.G. complaint. Also, have the S1 explain fully WHY you don't qualify, not just a blanket you don't, and not tell you why.
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Be respectful, and clearly state your case! I think they are wrong but I’m not in your chain of command!
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