Posted on Nov 4, 2021
If I deploy to Kuwait, will I be going during a “wartime period”?
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How do I know what is considered a “wartime period” and is it specific to certain places? I understand that this is a technical term for the books and records and doesn’t accurately reflect conflict scales.
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Camp Arifjan
Deployment
Camp Arifjan Deployment
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 9
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I will try to address what I think you're asking.
- Is Kuwait still listed as a "Warzone"? Yes.
- Will you get Hazard Duty Pay? Yes.
- Will you get Hostile Fire Pay? No.
- Will you get a combat patch? No. Unless you leave Kuwait and go to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, or another authorized location, Kuwait is not eligible for the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Military Operations in Hostile Conditions (SSI-MOHC) formerly known as the SSI-FWTS.
- Will you get an expeditionary medal? The GWOTEM is still eligible for Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom (Spartan Shield) and Operation Inherent Resolve in Kuwait.
- Will you get the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal? Only if you're in Iraq or Syria, and you can't receive both the GWOTEM and the IRC, only one campaign/expeditionary medal per deployment.
- Will you receive an Overseas Service Bar? For Spartan Shield, no. For Inherent Resolve? Maybe. Make sure to check the up to date regulation. That said, you will need 6 months in an authorized location.
- Will this change anything with the VA, not sure, I would reach out to the VA.
- Is Kuwait still listed as a "Warzone"? Yes.
- Will you get Hazard Duty Pay? Yes.
- Will you get Hostile Fire Pay? No.
- Will you get a combat patch? No. Unless you leave Kuwait and go to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, or another authorized location, Kuwait is not eligible for the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Military Operations in Hostile Conditions (SSI-MOHC) formerly known as the SSI-FWTS.
- Will you get an expeditionary medal? The GWOTEM is still eligible for Kuwait for Operation Enduring Freedom (Spartan Shield) and Operation Inherent Resolve in Kuwait.
- Will you get the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal? Only if you're in Iraq or Syria, and you can't receive both the GWOTEM and the IRC, only one campaign/expeditionary medal per deployment.
- Will you receive an Overseas Service Bar? For Spartan Shield, no. For Inherent Resolve? Maybe. Make sure to check the up to date regulation. That said, you will need 6 months in an authorized location.
- Will this change anything with the VA, not sure, I would reach out to the VA.
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COL Jon Thompson
SPC (Join to see) That’s hardship duty pay not hazardous duty pay. I did get that amount as well.
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SSG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - I was in Qatar, 2019-202 and we received HDP (Hardship Duty Pay).
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Wartime Period as defined by what? The ability to get a combat patch (or whatever the Army wants to call it nowadays)? The ability to wear Overseas Service Bars on the right sleeve of your Dress Uniform? National Defense Ribbon? GOWT-E and/or GWOT-S ribbons? Or for VA Loan purposes? I'll answer each one by line?
Combat Patch and Overseas Bar: That won't happen. Nor will the Overseas Bar. The reason is that Kuwait is no longer considered a "combat zone" that warrants Eminent Danger/Danger Pay. Now, if you were sent TDY on specific 1610 Orders to another country in the AO...say Saudi Arabia (Prince Sultan Air Base), then you would qualify for the patch and pay. You would need 6 months in that country to warrant the Bar, though.
Medals: You should already have the National Defense since they haven't made a cut off date yet. You should also have the GWOT-S already. As for the GWOT-E, you should get that at the end of your tour.
VA Loan: Not sure on that one. My instinct says you would be eligible. Contact your local VA and ask them if you would qualify after you get back. This may also be explained when you MOB and/or DEMOB. If not, then simply ask someone there.
Remember, a lot of the considerations will be based on where you are located and what Operation(s) you are deploying to support.
Combat Patch and Overseas Bar: That won't happen. Nor will the Overseas Bar. The reason is that Kuwait is no longer considered a "combat zone" that warrants Eminent Danger/Danger Pay. Now, if you were sent TDY on specific 1610 Orders to another country in the AO...say Saudi Arabia (Prince Sultan Air Base), then you would qualify for the patch and pay. You would need 6 months in that country to warrant the Bar, though.
Medals: You should already have the National Defense since they haven't made a cut off date yet. You should also have the GWOT-S already. As for the GWOT-E, you should get that at the end of your tour.
VA Loan: Not sure on that one. My instinct says you would be eligible. Contact your local VA and ask them if you would qualify after you get back. This may also be explained when you MOB and/or DEMOB. If not, then simply ask someone there.
Remember, a lot of the considerations will be based on where you are located and what Operation(s) you are deploying to support.
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CPT (Join to see)
As long as Soldiers are in Kuwait in support of OIR, or OFS, they qualify for Overseas Service Bars. See AR 670-1, para. 21-29(15) and (16).
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - Sir, one will still need six months. The sections you sited refer to Operations, yes, but it also states that the arrival month departure month will be counted as one month. Still need 5 other months. Being that the person making this post falls under 807th, I can damn near guarantee they are going there with orders that state ISO OEF-Spartan Shield. Hence, no Overseas Service Bar because OEF-SS is not a combat operation. I know because I spent a grand total of 8 months in Kuwait and Saudi for OEF-SS and did not come out with another Overseas Bar.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
This soldier is looking for the VA definition, not one for awards. Right now, this is what the VA wants. "How do I know if I served under an eligible wartime period?
Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits:
Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918)
World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
Vietnam War era (November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)"
Then, as a Reservist, he needs either 6 years of Reserve Time, or 90 days Title 10 or 32 that is not IET to qualify for VA benefits like a VA Loan.
Under current law, we recognize the following wartime periods to decide eligibility for VA pension benefits:
Mexican Border period (May 9, 1916, to April 5, 1917, for Veterans who served in Mexico, on its borders, or in adjacent waters)
World War I (April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918)
World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
Korean conflict (June 27, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
Vietnam War era (November 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975, for Veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam.)
Gulf War (August 2, 1990, through a future date to be set by law or presidential proclamation)"
Then, as a Reservist, he needs either 6 years of Reserve Time, or 90 days Title 10 or 32 that is not IET to qualify for VA benefits like a VA Loan.
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During "Wartime Period" technically yes, will you get anything from it, no. Kuwait is not a hazardous duty location.
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SSG (Join to see)
VA Loans for Reservists and National Guard Members
Learn more about VA loans for active duty or reserve service members.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SSG (Join to see) - I copied the text I used off the VA site, which states the same thing. Again, I see no restrictions on type of duty, since IET would fall under one of the order types.
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SPC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) CPT Lawrence Cable Thank you for your responses. I definitely need to contact someone directly from the VA. I got my text from this PDF pamphlet.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/benefits-summary/SummaryofVANationalGuardandReserve.pdf
Under “Home Loan Guaranty” I found the wording I used earlier. Seems promising, but I know things easily fall through the cracks and in between the lines.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/benefits-summary/SummaryofVANationalGuardandReserve.pdf
Under “Home Loan Guaranty” I found the wording I used earlier. Seems promising, but I know things easily fall through the cracks and in between the lines.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC (Join to see) - That has the exclusion for IET training that I couldn't find on their site. However, the War Time Period periods are listed here and we are still in the Global War on Terror. https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/
Eligibility for Veterans Pension | Veterans Affairs
The Veterans Pension program provides monthly payments to wartime Veterans based on need. Review VA pension eligibility requirements to find out if you qualify based on your age or a permanent and total non-service-connected disability, as well as your income and net worth.
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