Overseas Service Ribbon

[1] It is presented to any member of the United States Army who completes a standard overseas tour of duty.

The length of a standard tour is dependent upon the duty location and whether the Soldier is accompanied or unaccompanied with a spouse/family member(s).

[3] For time served in designated combat zones, the Army also issues an Overseas Service Bar.

The Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon was first proposed in 1968, but not authorized until 17 September 1986.

[4] For inactive members of the reserve components, the first award is authorized upon completion of either 30 consecutive or 45 cumulative days of overseas duty, regardless of the type of orders.

From June 2003 until April 2011, Airmen serving in hostile environments for 181 days or more qualified for the Short Tour Service Ribbon under a temporary exception to rules outlined in AFI 36–2110.

However, this exemption was rescinded by General Norton A. Schwartz in April 2011 and Airmen will no longer qualify for the award if they arrive in a hostile environment on or after 1 July 2011.

The "A" device is authorized only on the short tour ribbon to any service member who performs a tour of duty at an arctic based Air Force or Space Force facility; most commonly Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.

The Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon was approved on 28 October 2009 with details announced on 29 April 2010.

[12] It is awarded to members of the Reserve Component (RC) of the Army (ARNG and USAR), for successful completion of annual training or ADT for a period not less than 10 consecutive duty days on foreign soil.