Soldiers are authorized to wear one overseas service bar for each 6–month period of active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service as indicated below.
Periods of less than 6 months duration, which otherwise meet the requirements for the award of overseas service bars, may be combined by adding the number of months to determine creditable service toward the total number of overseas service bars authorized. Listed beginning dates and ending dates are inclusive.
The months of arrival to, and departure from the designated area are counted as whole months.
Authorized Overseas Service Bars Wearers
The following are the Authorized wearers of Overseas Service Bars:
Outside CONUS
Outside CONUS, between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1946. An overseas service bar is not authorized for a fraction of a 6–month period.
Korea
Korea, between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. Credit toward an overseas service bar is authorized for each month of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army serving in the designated hostile fire area in Korea between 1 April 1968 and 31 August 1973.
The months of arrival to, and departure from the hostile fire pay area are counted as whole months.
If a Soldier receives a month of hostile fire pay for a period(s) of service in Korea, then the Soldier may also receive credit for a corresponding month towards award of an overseas service bar.
Vietnam
Vietnam, between 1 July 1958 and 28 March 1973. The months of arrival to, and departure from Vietnam are counted as whole months for credit toward the overseas service bar.
If a Soldier receives a month of hostile fire pay for a period(s) of TDY service in Vietnam, then the Soldier may also receive credit for a corresponding month towards award of an overseas service bar.
The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic, between 29 April 1965 and 21 September 1966. The months of arrival to, and departure from the Dominican Republic are counted as whole months.
Laos
Laos, between 1 January 1966 and 28 March 1973. The months of arrival to, and departure from Laos are counted as whole months.
Cambodia
Cambodia, between 1 January 1971 and 28 March 1973. Personnel must qualify for hostile fire pay to receive credit for an overseas service bar.
The months of arrival to, and departure from the hostile fire pay area are counted as whole months.
Lebanon
Lebanon, between 6 August 1983 and 24 April 1984, for the two units listed in paragraph 21–18c(6). The months of arrival to, and departure from Lebanon are counted as whole months.
The Persian Gulf (Operation Earnest Will)
The Persian Gulf, between 27 July 1987 and 1 August 1990, for Operation Earnest Will. The months of arrival to, and departure from the Persian Gulf are counted as whole months.
The Persian Gulf (Operation Desert Storm)
The Persian Gulf, between 17 January 1991 and 31 August 1993, for Operation Desert Storm. The months of arrival to, and departure from the Persian Gulf are counted as whole months.
El Salvador
El Salvador, between 1 January 1981 and 1 February 1992. The months of arrival to, and departure from El Salvador are counted as whole months.
Somalia
Somalia, between 5 December 1992 and 31 March 1995. The months of arrival to, and departure from Somalia are counted as whole months.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
Participation in OEF, in the USCENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, USCENTCOM, between 11 September 2001 and 31 December 2014; OEF-Philippines, in the Philippines, between 19 September 2001 and 31 December 2014; OEF-Horn of Africa, in Djibouti, between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2014.
The months of arrival to, and departure from the Philippines, Djibouti, or the USCENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Participation in OIF, in the USCENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, USCENTCOM, between 19 March 2003 and 31 August 2010.
The months of arrival to, and departure from the USCENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.
Operation New Dawn (OND)
Participation in OND, in the USCENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, USCENTCOM, between 1 September 2010 and 31 December 2011.
The months of arrival to, and departure from the USCENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR)
Participation in OIR, in the USCENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, USCENTCOM, between 15 June 2014 and a date to be determined.
The months of arrival to, and departure from the USCENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS)
Participation in OFS, in the USCENTCOM area of operations, and under the control of the Combatant Commander, USCENTCOM, or Djibouti, AFRICOM, between 1 January 2015 and a date to be determined.
The months of arrival to, and departure from Djibouti or the USCENTCOM area of operations are counted as whole months.
Overseas Service Bars Description and Wear Guidelines
a. Large
A golden-lite rayon-embroidered bar, 3/16 inches wide and 1 5/16 inches long, on a blue background that forms a 3/32-inch border around the bar.
All personnel are authorized to wear the large overseas service bar.
Enlisted Soldiers must wear large overseas service bars when wearing large rank and service stripe insignia.
b. Small
A golden-lite rayon-embroidered bar, 5/32 inch wide and 13/32 inch long, on a blue background that forms a 5/64-inch border around the bar.
All personnel are authorized to wear the small overseas service bar.
Enlisted Soldiers must wear small overseas service bars when wearing small rank and service stripe insignia.
c. How Worn
The overseas service bars are worn on the Army service/dress uniform coat. The overseas service bars are worn centered on the outside bottom half of the right sleeve.
The first bar is sewn parallel to the bottom of the sleeve, with the lower edge of the overseas service bar 1/4 inch above the sleeve braid of the coat for officer personnel, and 4 inches above the bottom of the sleeve for enlisted personnel.
Each additional bar is spaced 1/16 inch above and parallel to the first bar (see picture below)
d. By Whom Worn
Soldiers are authorized wear of the overseas service bar as outlined in AR 670–1 above
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