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

Not all PCS or TCS overseas are the same. You are better off reading the regulation and finding the criteria that matches your situation. The best S1 in the Army is yourself.

I did everything I could to get my chest candy straight before retirement in 2012. Wanted them correct for DD214 purposes. Went to the MPF (CBPO) awards/decs folks with all my documentation. Took about an hour of showing them EPRs, cittations, and LOAs...we looked up regs to ensure 100% correctness. There was a retired civilian, TSgt, and a SrA all working with me there at MPF...we all agreed/done by the book. Virtual was updated. A few months later (like a week before terminal) I checked Virtual again...yep, it was all screwed up again. Fortunately, the DD214 is somewhat correct. I know what is correct...not sure what happened. Never went back...am so done with all the BS. That was over 4 years ago.

to serve a consecutive 180 days overseas

A Marine can get one by serving six continously months aboard a ship deployed outside the United States. Usually called a "float", most are six months or less. Mine was almost 4 months.

On my most recent deployment in 2010-2011 (Kuwait / Iraq / Afghanistan) it was determined that if you exceeded 8 months 15 days, in country (excluding MOB time at a CONUS location) you were given credit for the 9th month, and you had earned the Overseas Service Ribbon. I was ADVON into country, and TORCH out of country, so I only had 8 months 7 days in country, and did not receive this award.

I have read many of these post, as I have been AD, Resort and NG. I have seen many uniforms, and listen to a lot of stories that don't match. My feelings the only time your awards need to match is when your DAD photo when you go to aboard. Other than that it is left up to the integrity of the SM. Only that SM and what ever GOD he believes in knows the truth. I beleive in the honesty and integrity of being a U.S. S.M..

I guess the value of awards is determined by the individual. I retired 10 years ago and considered my awards and decorations only once when I considered getting a personalized Bronze Star, Texas license plate. Upon consideration I thought it seemed like a swelled head thing to get. Especially since I don't have a V device to go with it. So yes, while I was on active duty I was proud of my decorations, but since retiring their value seems less than minimal.

Jesus a lot of shit for one medal in the regs. I deployed twice and I got two of them that automatically populated on my ERB. For my second deployment to Afghanistan I was advanced party and did a full ten months while everyone else did 8.7 months. They didn't rate the OSR but I did so I guess U have to do over 9 months to get it.

serve an overseas assignment, not combat related

What I dont understand is why this post is still getting comments. Most of them are incorrect. Too many people guessing. "Well, last I checked it was a year tour outside CONUS", WRONG!! Read the regulation and stop posting questions on RallyPoint having to deal with something that is clearly written in an Army Regulation. Unless you are just looking for entertainment and in that case, take it to Facebook. I did the research for mine, do yours. Asking a question in forums or social media like this is asking for MANY "opinions", not the right answer. Pick up a regulation and read it. You might find something else you didnt know.