How can I determine if I qualify for the Overseas Service Ribbon for an overseas deployment to Afghanistan?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:01:04 -0500

References:
Joint Travel Regulations, Chapter 5
AR 614-30, Overseas Service

I recently returned home from overseas deployment to Afghanistan shutting the campaign down. I am a reservist. Our full tour was cut short due to the complete withdrawal of all US and coalition forces. Upon REFRAD, I got all my post tour awards squared away but upon receiving my DD-214, I noticed the Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR) was missing. Curious, I did a little research and asked my unit. I was told that our deployment did not qualify for the OSR. Not buying that, I delved into the regulations and HRC.

HRC Website: To receive the OSR, Soldiers must be credited with a normal overseas tour completion in accordance with AR 614-30 (see Table 3-2). Chapter 5 of the Joint Travel Regulation establishes required tour lengths. AR 614-30 establishes the Army's policy for awarding tour completion credit. If a Soldier is credited with a normal overseas tour completion, then the Soldier may be awarded the OSR. Requests for exceptions to policy for awarding tour credit must be processed through the proponent of AR 614-30.

JTR, Chapter 5, Tour Lengths and Tours of Duty Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS): Afghanistan, Kabul, 12 months, effective date 08-10-07

Also from the HRC Website:
Q5: I am a Reserve Component Soldier mobilized onto active duty. I deployed to Iraq for 12 consecutive months. Am I authorized normal overseas tour credit and award of the OSR?
A5: No, there is no normal overseas tour credit for Iraq or Afghanistan. If you are given overseas tour credit then you are authorized the OSR.

AR 614-30, Table 3-2: "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"

We arrived in Afghanistan in January and my time in theater equated to a little more than six months, which I was under the impression is enough for a "short tour."

To me, the closure of the Afghanistan campaign constitutes awarding because it "was less than the prescribed overseas tour, curtailment is for the convenience of the government," and we left "through no request or fault from the soldier" (us). Its black and white. This establishes normal overseas tour completion, which qualifies for the OSR.

Am I eligible for this ribbon? If so, how do I go about rectifying this?

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Nov 17 at 2021 9:25 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:25:32 -0500

The key words in your discussion as far as I'm concerned are "asked my unit". Units don't talk. Did you ask your personnel officer, your CO or XO, or someone who was just trying to get you away from their desk. You've got the regs, take them to a decision maker,

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2021 9:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 21:57:12 -0500

8 months 15 days they give you the time including travel days if you haven’t got that then no ribbon sir

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Nov 17 at 2021 10:07 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 22:07:23 -0500

The Army Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR) was established by the Secretary of the Army on April 10, 1981. Effective August 1, 1981, the Army OSR is awarded to all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status for successful completion of overseas tours. The ribbon may be awarded retroactively to personnel who were credited with a normal overseas tour completion before August 1, 1981, provided they had an Active Army status on or after August 1, 1981.
To receive the OSR, Soldiers must be credited with a normal overseas tour completion in accordance with AR 614-30 (see Table 3-2). Soldiers who have overseas service with another branch of service (Air Force, Navy, Marines) must be credited with normal overseas tour completion by that service to qualify for award of the OSR.
Note: Chapter 5 of the Joint Travel Regulation establishes required tour lengths. AR 614-30 establishes the Army's policy for awarding tour completion credit. If a Soldier is credited with a normal overseas tour completion, then the Soldier may be awarded the OSR. Requests for exceptions to policy for awarding tour credit must be processed through the proponent of AR 614-30.
IAW AR 614-30, Soldiers who serve a minimum of 11 cumulative months (within a 24 month period) or 9 continuous months in a TCS/TDY status may receive overseas tour credit for a completed short tour.
All that being said: DA has people looking into curtailed tours for the OSR and other service ribbons.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2021 10:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 22:16:07 -0500

Need 8 months 15 days. You got documentation stating you met that time, then the ribbon is yours

Response by COL William Oseles made Nov 18 at 2021 11:15 PM

COL William Oseles — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:15:58 -0500

Did you get a Service medal for serving Afghanistan/Iraq?
That may be the reason you did not get an OSR.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2021 1:51 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:51:57 -0500

Ask your admin team and understand what the guidance is during your deployment. Believe it takes at least six months time on ground, too.

Response by SP6 Walter Arlt made Jun 12 at 2022 9:52 AM

SP6 Walter Arlt — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 09:52:16 -0400

I served a year in Korea and two tours to Iraq. Does that qualify as 3 OSR??