Posted on Aug 18, 2016
Can you add months deployed from different deployments to count for overseas bars (combat stripes)?
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Below is the reg but I'm having trouble figuring out if I can combine months from different deployments to equal the 6 months needed for a stripe. I've had three 12 month deployments, one 15 month, and one 9 month. So I've always worn nine, but can I take the extra 3 months from the 15 and the extra 3 months from the 9 and wear a tenth stripe?
(13) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 19 March 2003 and 31 August 2010.
(14) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation New Dawn in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 1 September 2010 and 31 December 2011.
(15) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in OIR, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 15 June 2014 and a date to be determined.
(16) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 1 January 2015 and a date to be determined.
(17) The months of arrival to, and departure from the areas of operations during the periods indicated in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through (14) are counted as whole months only when the period of each deployment is over 6 months. Periods of overseas service of less than 6 months of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service, which
otherwise meets the requirements for the award of the overseas service bar authorized in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through (14) may be combined by adding the number of months and days spent in the area(s) of operation. For calculation purposes, thirty days equal one calendar month. When continuous deployment periods are less than 6-month periods,
only the number of days in the months of arrival to, and departure from the area of operations are counted. Soldiers must have 6 full months (in addition to any other time counted in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through(14)) for each additional service bar worn.
(13) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 19 March 2003 and 31 August 2010.
(14) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation New Dawn in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 1 September 2010 and 31 December 2011.
(15) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in OIR, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 15 June 2014 and a date to be determined.
(16) One overseas service bar is authorized for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service participating in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, in the CENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, CENTCOM, between 1 January 2015 and a date to be determined.
(17) The months of arrival to, and departure from the areas of operations during the periods indicated in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through (14) are counted as whole months only when the period of each deployment is over 6 months. Periods of overseas service of less than 6 months of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service, which
otherwise meets the requirements for the award of the overseas service bar authorized in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through (14) may be combined by adding the number of months and days spent in the area(s) of operation. For calculation purposes, thirty days equal one calendar month. When continuous deployment periods are less than 6-month periods,
only the number of days in the months of arrival to, and departure from the area of operations are counted. Soldiers must have 6 full months (in addition to any other time counted in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through(14)) for each additional service bar worn.
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DA Pam 670-1
DA Pam 670-1
Posted >1 y ago
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If the Soldier receives a month of hostile fire pay the Soldier may also receive credit for a corresponding month towards award of an overseas service bar.
As mentioned in para 17: Periods of overseas service of less than 6 months of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service, which otherwise meets the requirements for the award of the overseas service bar authorized in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through (14) may be combined by adding the number of months and days spent in the area(s) of operation.
The key phrases here being, “may be combined” and AO is in the plural. I take this to mean one could serve three month in one qualifying location and three months in another qualifying location for a total of six months.
As mentioned in para 17: Periods of overseas service of less than 6 months of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service, which otherwise meets the requirements for the award of the overseas service bar authorized in paragraphs 21-29a(1) through (14) may be combined by adding the number of months and days spent in the area(s) of operation.
The key phrases here being, “may be combined” and AO is in the plural. I take this to mean one could serve three month in one qualifying location and three months in another qualifying location for a total of six months.
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