What qualifications are needed to be awarded the Overseas Service Ribbon?

Their is no award for graduating Boot Camp, I belive you are referring to the National Defense Service Medal. The NDSM is awarded to those who volunteer for the Military in times of a "national emergency" such as war.

People do care. If the DOD would ,put all service members who did more than 2 years(cold war). sometime almost 3 years on foreign soil. certainly they can award an OSR to the man or woman who did such a long strenuous tour. What is it with our politicians, who seem to remember vets on Memorial day and veterans day. The men and women who put on the clothes of the military have earned the respect of a nation. It starts with politicians. All the flag draped coffins could have been anyone who got off his or her butt, and enlisted to do whatever was needed. It was not my fought I spent 2.5 years in germany and a war did not happen. Probably because we were on guard at all times. Give the OSR to every veteran who spent time on foreign soil.

I believe the world has been in an emergency since forever. Enlisting when there is no active war going on is just as important as if there was one. the men and women of the cold war did their job and did it well. No warsaw pact forces ever entered west germany through the Fulda Gap.

It means something to the people that earned them. I served one and a half years in Germany, 1981 - 1982. Ok, there was no war. I still served and I volunteered. I was not drafted. It means a lot to me

SGT(P) (Join to see) -

How do determine from that OSR if they even participated in the war? There is no way right?

So the OSR, is only if you participated in a War?.....I heard that the COLD WAR was a war, even when shots were fired, they were hushed up, so many Americans put their life on the line, but have not been accepted...The Military, should fire all of thos who do not recognize a soldier, or a sailor, or a Marine...Many men never went to War, they stayed stateside, and earned, many Medals, those who served, during the cold war, went abroad, and never even received, a thank you note....Yes I am looking for a medal honoring cold war warriors, who stood guard, so Americans could still enjoy life...If your not with me, then obviously you are against me.

SGT Jerry Couch - I'd like you to cite your/a source on how that is a "proven fact." I spent 10 years as enlisted and 11 as an officer. I earned every damn thing that I have on my uniform.

Are there Soldiers that game the system to get stuff? Sure. However, there are now measures in place to curb those actions. I've seen SGMs and Senior NCOs go on TDY to Iraq and Afghanstan to get Combat Patches, etc. It's not just Officers that engage in this type of behavior. It is any Soldier that is unscrupulous enough to take advantage of the system.

CW4 Larry Curtis - what's a safe zone lol?

To Sgt up there. You’re suggesting a more efficient leader directs to a source over berating without giving any help. As someone who chose the job over the rank, I don’t see the need to dismiss one leader guiding in one field for another leader that will guide in another field without guiding in the field of the previous leader also. We all know there’s more than one way to do anything. Our soldiers are multi faceted individuals who are above average in a number of different skills and that mental growth is clearly seen on entrepreneur veterans.

Although I can not speak for OP since text context is limited, in a upgraded leadership environment there is leaders teaching and leading how they know. While I agree that some of the guys/gals could use better knowledge of resources, I also believe that the softening of our military is a more pressing matter, still not a reason to dismiss your leadership.

In the contrary, leaders with different leading methods, further normalize diversity as a concept, and encourage critical thinking and complexity. Skills are perishable and each is honed differently.

Softening as the pop culture pampering that has made its way through the gates. At home and foreign country training enviroments where “impossible” is the job more often than not, and mental and physical endurance are basic requirements.

Hey i've seen some ignorant Warrant Officers asking stupid questions on here too. So, it can be a round about pony show, its just chickens can tell or let and enlisted know, what they think. As a matter of fact, I am answering a question for a Warrant Officer on the next page. Who cant tell how long he has to be in Iraq or Kuwait in country to receive his Over Seas Service Ribbon OSR. That requires reading a book too. Oh, to the Sergeant First Class, instead of sticking your head up and officers asshole, for a change. Dont be so heavy to weight more crap on the enlisted.

Amn Frank Silvia - On my first assignment on a rock in the Pacific (Hawaii), the policy on OSR changed. The Fiftieth State sometimes was and sometimes wasn't "overseas"

1SG Tom Conner - when I first went to Hawaii it was classified as over seas duty. 18 months later it was reclassified as part of CONUS. My reward: I didn't have to PCS if I didn't want to. That was reward enough!

SFC Alex Ibarra - Back then they were pretty good. McDonald's and Hardees were their only competition.

SPC Eric Wirthman - it sounds like the Army still hasn't figured out how to handle the 50th State. In Hawaii we learned never to refer to the Mainland as the States, as would have been appropriate before their statehood.

Not quite true MSG. Only for the period prescribed by the regulation. I served from Jan 1945 to 30 June 1972. Total of 18 years overseas, for 9 of which I have been awarded service ribbons. Last time I looked at the regulations I am not authorized the AOSR for the other 9.

It was not on my dd214 don't I have that coming to me

In most cases, you have to be overseas a minimum amount of time. In Germany, 24 months for a single soldier and 36 months for a married accompanied soldier. There are exceptions to the policies too. The reason it is not on your DD 214 may be due to not meeting the requirements. just guessing with the information that has been provided.

I would think you should complete a full tour if it's a 3 year tour or a 1 year tour than yes you should be able to get the overseas medal.

I was in Germany for a year and a half also I heard about the cold war ribbon I want to get both

God bless. I will make sure that I share your website. Take care.

When I was active duty in the later 1980's and early 1990's, your typical USMC infantryman, after a 4-year tour of duty would have a good conduct medal and sea service deployment ribbon. I served 6.5 years USMCR, 7.5 years USMC and 12 years La Army Nat'l Guard, retired 1LT. I didn't go to Desert Storm as I was deployed to South America. I retired wearing 21 ribbons. Had I gone to D.S., I would have at least 5 more. I wear more ribbons than Smedley Butler. It's almost embarrassing to go to a ceremony as an old 1LT with more ribbons than a battalion commander.

When were you stationed in VILSECK? I left in Jan 04. HHC-263 ARBN.

I was in Vilseck HHC 263 ARBN from 97 to 2000 I was a combat medic

SGT Gus Pros - LOL I was in HHC 1/63 from 96 to 98. Cav scout. I reenlisted there for station of choice and went to Fort Carson.

PFC Steven Valentine - 96 to 98 HHC 1/63

Aw shit! Checked my DD 214 and lo and behold someone entered it in my SRB. I still feel the medals I earned in Nam are more important than the ones handed out for doing your normal duty

2LT Tom Waters, JD - well said Lt

SgtMaj Kenneth Dillon - i retired on my 30 in 1990.
Gee, where you 27 years ago?

I did two 6 month tours overseas (Okinawa) and never got one. I did get a sea service one though for floats. '81 - '85