What exceptions are there for being awarded the Overseas Service Ribbon based on length of time overseas?

2023-04-06T13:54:29-04:00

Recently I returned from a deployment. When we left on the deployment 27 of us were held back due to COVID and arrived 16 days after the mainbody of our company. Now as we are finishing our DD214s, the 27 were notified we were not authorized that award, despite the commander including us in the OSR Memo. Our total time in country was 8 months and 15 days. As this was due to no fault of our own and the commander authorizing us the award, should we not be permitted to have it on our DD214?

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Apr 6 at 2023 2:06 PM

2023-04-06T14:06:52-04:00

This does not sound right to me, but what do the regs say?

Response by CSM William Everroad made Apr 6 at 2023 2:19 PM

2023-04-06T14:19:34-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member AR 600-8-22: OSR: "Soldiers must be credited with a successful completion of an overseas tour in accordance with AR 614–30"

AR 614-30: "Award of tour credit: A minimum of 11 continuous months in a TCS/TDY status in OCONUS areas where the unaccompanied tour length is between 18 and 24 months, and whose primary duties were to provide direct support of contingency operations" or "Nine months in a continuous TCS/TDY status in areas where the unaccompanied tour length is up to 18 months, or in isolated areas where tour lengths have not been established"

AR 614-30: Creditable periods of overseas service "Starts on the day of departure from a CONUS port for overseas service, or on the date of initial entrance on active duty while outside CONUS".

While there are instances where you can receive tour credit for leaving OCONUS early, the clock starts when you depart. Since you left later than everyone else and came back with everyone, you can not be credited with a tour longer than you actually served.

In this instance, your Commander is wrong. The unit Commander has no authority to "authorize" the OSR, the memo series as a trigger to the PAC section preparing the DD-214. This memo does not serve as an "authorizing document". The OSR is automatic IAW regulation when creditable periods of overseas service are calculated for your DD-214.

Response by COL Randall C. made Apr 6 at 2023 2:40 PM

2023-04-06T14:40:03-04:00

The general rule is that in order to receive an OSR, you must complete the requisite overseas tour. This means it will depend on which country you went to and how long the tour length was supposed to be (USUALLY this is a minimum of 12 months). If comes down to if you were awarded tour credit or not. If you were, then you're eligible for an OSR. If not, then you aren't.

9 months continuous or 11 month cumulative (in a 24 month period) is the minimum time for tour completion in an area where the tour length is 12-18 months. There is an exception that could apply on curtailments (in cases of 'convenience of the government'), but that's not the case in your situation.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2023 6:37 PM

2023-04-06T18:37:29-04:00

A couple of things here:
1. Your commander doesn't authorize the award, regulation authorizes it when the criteria are met.

2. Exceptions are for policies (ETP). Unless specified within the regulation, there is no exception to regulation, AR 614-30 defines the requirements, and CSM William Everroad provides the explanation here.
If were to start down the road of "no fault of their own" on award criteria, everyone in the Army would have 9+ rows of ribbons on their rack.

3. It's an OSR; it's an attendance award for those that showed up on day 1 and were there through at least day 270, whether they contributed to the mission or not.
You should be more concerned with any of your Soldiers that had enough of an impact on the mission to warrant an AAM or ARCOM getting submitted and approved, and making sure your MOB NCOER is competed and submitted, before everyone reverts to TPU and believes none of this is their responsibility anymore.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2023 9:50 PM

2023-04-06T21:50:28-04:00

I don't know if you should or should not get an OSR but I do know if you provide the memo to your S1 they are likely to add it to your records.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2023 10:48 PM

2023-04-06T22:48:51-04:00

In table 3-2 it states
In TCS, TDY, or PCS status overseas and evacuates to and is hospitalized in CONUS or at area of residence, or evacuates for medical reasons to and is contained in offshore hospital longer than the theater policy when the cause of evacuation is one or more of the following: a. Wounds resulting from enemy or hostile action b. Injury determined to be in line of duty c. Disease determined to be in the line of duty (includes HIV positive Soldiers) d. Aggravation of one of the above previously existing conditions (regardless of the line of duty status of the basic condition) determined to be in the line of duty.

I am not sure if this applies for you. I was just short of 9 months when I was in Jordan. I suffered a shoulder injury and I was sent back to treatment. Due to this I was given full tour credit. I don't know if covid would count. I had to get a MRI and had PT for a while due to losing function of my left arm.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2023 11:24 PM

2023-04-06T23:24:17-04:00

There are no ETPs. Not for the OSR. A unit I deployed with...or rather I joined them on the deployment.....tried that with me. I was about a week shy of the bare minimum required days. DEMOB site said NO.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 7 at 2023 1:28 AM

2023-04-07T01:28:33-04:00

You know your situation better than any one else and the others that were held from being awarded the award should seek their own information. If you meet any of the below conditions in AR 614-30 then you should be awarded the ribbon if you need help that's what the IG is for correctiing the issue.
Here is what AR 614-30, Award of tour credit and adjustment of date eligible for return from overseas/date returned from overseas, Table 3–2 says in its Rules:

1. To within 60 days of completion of the prescribed tour (see table 2–1, note 3) RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
2. Less than the normal prescribed overseas tour, curtailment is for the convenience of the Government, and through no request from or fault of the Soldier
RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
3. In TCS, TDY, or PCS status overseas and evacuates to and is hospitalized in CONUS or at area of residence, or evacuates for medical reasons to and is contained in offshore hospital longer than the theater policy when the cause of evacuation is one or more of the following:
a. Wounds resulting from enemy or hostile action
b. Injury determined to be in line of duty
c. Disease determined to be in the line of duty (includes HIV
positive Soldiers)
d. Aggravation of one of the above previously existing conditions
(regardless of the line of duty status of the basic condition) determined to be in the line of duty.
RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
4. In TCS, TDY, or PCS status in hostile fire/imminent danger area, evacuates to and is hospitalized for 30 or more days outside the area due to a specific hostile fire action, and is reassigned to CONUS prior to completion of the normal overseas tour
RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
5. A minimum of 11 continuous months in a TCS/TDY status in OCONUS areas where the unaccompanied tour length is between 18 and 24 months, and whose primary duties were to provide direct support of contingency operations
RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
6. A minimum of 11 cumulative months in a TCS/TDY status during any 24 month period in areas where the unaccompanied tour length is designated as 12 to 18 months, or in isolated areas where tour lengths have not been established by the Department of Defense
(DOD)
RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
7. A minimum of 18 cumulative months in a TCS/TDY status during any 24 month period in areas where the unaccompanied tour length is designated as 24 or more months
RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
8. Nine months in a continuous TCS/TDY status in areas where the unaccompanied tour length is up to 18 months, or in isolated areas where tour lengths have not been established.
RESULT: A completed tour and award, new DROS.
.
9. At least 30 consecutive days in TCS/TDY status overseas or an insufficient amount of time in PCS/TCS/TDY status to receive credit under rules 1 through 8, above. This includes a Soldier serving in an overseas assignment who is returned to CONUS on leave and who is subsequently reassigned without returning overseas, and not awarded tour credit (see rule 10).
RESULT: The number of days actually served overseas and add to the DROS recorded for the last period of overseas service. For Soldiers who have not had prior overseas service, compute an adjusted DROS by adding the number of days served overseas to the date of entry on active duty.
.
10. In a PCS status in hostile fire/imminent danger area and evacuates to, is hospitalized in, and is subsequently assigned to another overseas location and completes sufficient service in the new location to receive credit for a completed tour (table 3–3)
RESULT: Two completed tours. DROS for first tour will be the date Soldier departed or completed first tour. DROS for second tour will be the date
Soldier departs on PCS for next assignment.
.
11. In an overseas assignment and is temporarily absent for reasons other than TCS/TDY and remains for more than 30 days. This includes time spent in CONUS on leave and/or attached to a CONUS activity pending decision on a personnel action, for example, a compassionate reassignment or hardship discharge.
RESULT: The first 30 days absent from OCONUS and add to current DEROS the amount of time absent in excess of 30 days (see table 3–3, rule 2)
.
12. In unit TDY and completes one or more OCONUS deployments with a minimum of 11 cumulative months in a TCS/ TDY status with the unit within 36 consecutive months
RESULT: A completed short tour and award new DROS
.
13. As part of a ship’s complement of oceangoing vessels while assigned to CONUS.
RESULT: The number of days actually served away from the home port, and add to previous DROS
.
14. To normal ETS, is a first term Soldier, and separates from service or is given an early out through an Army program
RESULT: A completed tour and award DROS.
.
15. In one overseas area, completes the prescribed tour, has a voluntary or involuntary intra or intra-theater COT and/or IPCOT, and completes a second prescribed tour.
RESULT: Two completed tours. DROS for first tour will be the date Soldier departed or completed first tour. DROS for second tour will be the date Soldier departs on PCS for next assignment.
.
16. In one overseas area, has a voluntary or involuntary intra- or intra-theater COT, completes initial prescribed tour, and does not complete second tour
RESULT: Completed tour for first tour and award new DROS; award tour credit
for second tour when any of the rules 1 through 5 apply and award, new DROS.
.
17. In overseas area and has a voluntary or involuntary intra- or intra-theater COT before completing initial prescribed tour and completes second tour
RESULT: Completed tour for first tour when any of the rules 1 through 5 apply and award new DROS; award tour credit and new DROS for second tour
.
18. In one overseas area and has voluntary or involuntary intra- or intra-theater COT before completing initial prescribed tour and does not complete second tour.
RESULT: Completed tours when any of the rules 1 through 4 apply. DROS for first tour will be the date Soldier departed or completed first tour. DROS for second tour will be the date Soldier departs on PCS for next assignment.
.
19. In an overseas area and completes initial prescribed tour and voluntarily extends and completes the extension (single or multiple requests) and the total number of months extended is equal to months required for the prescribed tour for that area
RESULT: Two completed tours. DROS for first tour will be date Soldier completed initial prescribed tour. DROS for second tour will be the date Soldier completed voluntary extensions that equate to another prescribed tour.
------------
You should read the AR's Table 3.3 rules also.
.
Here's a link for you to read;
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN6427_AR614-30_WEB_Final.pdf

ARN6427_AR614-30_WEB_Final.pdf

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 7 at 2023 10:16 AM

2023-04-07T10:16:35-04:00

You don't meet the prerequisites. It's that simple.