USAF Overseas Short Tour
Service Ribbon
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Sample Display Recognitions
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Examples of Short Tour Eligibility
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • USAF Websites
      • USAF Discussion Forum

        • Sample Display Recognition

        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have three display types to choose from:
        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        or EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        or Classic Deluxe Frame

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black or Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame
        Colors: Chocolate Brown or Black
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Classic Deluxe
        Color: Appearance Gold
        Ready for Wall or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit ONE of the following:

      • A photocopy of your DD-214
      • Or, a photocopy of general orders
      • Or, a photocopy of training record

        • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 310-532-0634

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Price Shipping Total
        Heavy Bond Enclosure $19.00 $6.40 $25.40
        EnDurable Acrylux© Frame $19.00 $6.40 $25.40
        Classic Gold Frame $24.00 $8.40 $32.40

      • Total/Shipping prices, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost

        • How To Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped within 1 week)

        • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include a copy of your DD-214 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        16907 Brighton Avenue
        Gardena CA 90247-5420

        Questions?

        Email: USAF Overseas Short Tour Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-310-532-0634
        10am to 3pm Pacific Time Zone, Monday through Friday

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        Issue Regulations


        Overseas Service Ribbon (Short Tour)

        Establishing Authority

        The Overseas Service Ribbon (Short Tour) was established on October 12, 1980, by the Air Force Chief of Staff, General Lew Allen, Jr.

        Effective Dates

        The OSST is retroactive to 12 October 1980.

        Criteria

        This ribbon is awarded to Air Force members credited with completion of an overseas assignment defined as a "short tour" by Air Force regulations and that is not recognized by any other medal or ribbon.

        Order of Precedence

        This ribbon is worn after the Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal and before the Overseas Service Ribbon (Long Tour).

        Restrictions

        The Overseas Service Ribbon (Short Tour) may not be worn on the Navy or Marine Corps uniform.

        Devices

        Additional awards are denoted by bronze oak leaf clusters (a silver oak leaf cluster denotes a sixth award).

        Additional awards are denoted by bronze oak leaf clusters.

        Examples of Short Tour Eligibility

        A Short Tour is whatever the Air Force determines it to be. A Short Tour is shorter than a normal tour for any given assignment area.

        Example Number One:

          If a normal tour of duty to Siberia is 12 months (which is the minimum requirement for receiving the Siberian Service Medal) but you were sent on special assignment to Siberia to be there only 4 months you would be eligible for the Short Tour Ribbon but not the Siberian Service Medal. Also, if your 4 month tour was extended to 5 months (or 4 months and 1 day) you would be eligible for the Long Tour Ribbon, but again, not the Siberian Service Medal because you were not in Siberia for 12 months (which is the criteria for receiving the Siberian Service Medal).

        Example Number Two:

          The Air Force has designated a normal overseas tour of duty to be 18 months. You receive orders to spend 10 months in Roguestan where:

          • 12 months service is required to receive the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
          • There is no medal (yet) established for service in Roguestan
          • The Global War Expeditionary Medal is not authorized for Roguestan service

          Upon completing your 10 months in Roguestan you are eligible for the Short Tour Ribbon. However, if you agree to spend any additional days, weeks or months in Roguestan beyond your 10 month assignment you will be eligible for the Long Tour Ribbon... unless you remained in Roguestan for 12 or months at which point you would be eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. (Both your Short and Long Tour ribbons for Roguestan service would automatically be voided/rescinded at the point you became eligible for the AFEM medal. [Long or Short tour ribbons awarded for other service areas/periods would remain valid.])