Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour

Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour

Eligibility Guidelines:

The Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon (AFOLT & AFOST) comes in two variants, distinguished as Long Tour and Short Tour versions, both authorized for simultaneous wear since their inception in 1980.

The Short Tour ribbon is typically conferred for a permanent duty station assignment lasting at least 300 days within an 18-month timeframe. A common example is the assignments Airmen undertake in South Korea. However, exceptions to the 300-day period exist, especially for deployments to hostile environments, with the requirement reduced to 181 days for hazardous tours between 2003 and 2011.

The Long Tour ribbon is granted upon the successful completion of a standard overseas service assignment, usually extending beyond two years. It can also be awarded to service members with multiple overseas duty assignments (including combat tours) exceeding 365 days each, occurring within a 3-year period.

Additional awards of the ribbons are indicated by the Oak Leaf Cluster device affixed to the service ribbon. The Short Tour ribbon also features an "A" device, approved for airmen completing tours in Arctic-based facilities.

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