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 looked this up long ago since I served in Korea, The Netherlands, Bosnia, and Iraqi Freedom. The Korea tour was 12 months, The Netherlands was 30 months, with a 6 month Bosnia (IFOR/SFOR) tour at it's end (considered part of the Netherlands tour since this was a TDY) , and 10 months for Iraqi Freedom.
The AR 614-30, 9 continuous months or 11 cumulative months during a 24 month period is correct. I earned 3 as a result. If you are in Korea now, 9 months+ there should do it.
The AR 614-30, 9 continuous months or 11 cumulative months during a 24 month period is correct. I earned 3 as a result. If you are in Korea now, 9 months+ there should do it.
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SGT Stuart Griffin
I did forget to mention two more details; One, in "Army speak," one month is always considered 30 days in regs for the purpose of consistency. 9 months is 270 days and 11 months is 330 total days. Two, the length of the tour doesn't affect it. One tour equals one award. For example, my 36 months for Netherlands & Bosnia warranted only one OSR. Just felt the need to clarify these two items, thanks.
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Ask to see the BN CSM before you do anything go through your PLT SGT and 1SGT. Bring them the relavent documents. The CSM represents you to the BN CDR who does not want a legitimate IG complaint. Tell people, respectfully that you would like to use your NCO chain of command o help with this problem. Make your case but do it following customs and courtesies. You may be pleasantly surprised by engaging with them. They have the S-1s bosses ear.
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I think that is referred to as a class two metal or award... in which case they can't touch that. But we all know a lot of commands just do as they wish. :)
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