Posted on Jan 18, 2017
When exactly does the date start to qualify for the Overseas Service Ribbon?
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I am just curious on when the date actually starts? Is it the day you actually leave for deployment or is the day you actually step foot in Iraq? With the whole 9 month deployments, it is rare to be BOG in Iraq for 8 months 15 days due to layovers and the time spent in Kuwait. And yes I have read AR 614-30. This is literally just a question for the public.
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 32
SP5 David Connolly
Never did. Just cared about my deros date. Still call it that? Date estimate for return from overseas?
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SGT Scott Henderson
I think so. When u was in Germany i heard EROD more than DEROS. Damn dependas running wild.
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It definitely starts the day you swipe your ID card in country. Your unit should track, and begin processing the award as soon as eligible. You unit S-1 should be able to print you a copy of your deployment, or overseas, validation time. I can't remember what it is called, but it literally shows your valid dates of deployments, or proof, of time served. More than likely, if your award isn't processed while in country, then it will be populated off of your deployment portion of your ERB.
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CW2 (Join to see)
Thanks 1SG! I do know exactly what you are referring to because I received that same document after my last deployment. Thank you for your response!
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
Cool, I wonder why the Army does not start tour when you head out any longer. When I went over with the 199th Inf Bde, our DEROS was 365 days from boarding the USNS John Pope at Oakland Army Terminal.
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According to HRC as of 22DEC2016..
"Note: Overseas tour completion is determined by AR 614-30. If a Soldier is credited with a normal overseas tour completion, then the Soldier may be awarded the OSR. Tours lengths for Iraq and Afghanistan have NOT been established. All requests for exceptions to policy will be processed through the proponent of AR 614-30."
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Overseas%20Service%20Ribbon%20OSR
And to the best that I could interpret in AR 614-30, Overseas Service, Table 3-2 and Table 3-3, the tour starts when you leave CONUS and requires 45-60 days of consecutive service in the AO depending on the circumstances.
Most of it seems heavily dependent on where you go and the duty status that you're in. I've been awarded 2 and they were for tours of 9 mos and 4 mos in country. The 4 mo tour was supposed to be 9 mos but a letter came down from higher saying specific units and assets were to vacate the theater by such and such a day.
"Note: Overseas tour completion is determined by AR 614-30. If a Soldier is credited with a normal overseas tour completion, then the Soldier may be awarded the OSR. Tours lengths for Iraq and Afghanistan have NOT been established. All requests for exceptions to policy will be processed through the proponent of AR 614-30."
https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Overseas%20Service%20Ribbon%20OSR
And to the best that I could interpret in AR 614-30, Overseas Service, Table 3-2 and Table 3-3, the tour starts when you leave CONUS and requires 45-60 days of consecutive service in the AO depending on the circumstances.
Most of it seems heavily dependent on where you go and the duty status that you're in. I've been awarded 2 and they were for tours of 9 mos and 4 mos in country. The 4 mo tour was supposed to be 9 mos but a letter came down from higher saying specific units and assets were to vacate the theater by such and such a day.
Toll-Free: 1-888-ARMY-HRC (1-888-276-9472) DSN: 983-9500 askhrc.army@us.army.mil
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1SG (Join to see)
The requirement for both Iraq and Afghanistan is 9 months consecutive or 11 months non-consecutive. Reference is the notes right at the bottom of the tables you cited.
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SPC (Join to see)
What if you’re still at your 3 year OCONUS assignment and have been longer than two years? Are you eligible then or does your gaining unit award you upon completion?
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