The Army Overseas Service Ribbon was first issued in August of 1981.  These military awards are presented to any member of the United States Army who completes a standard overseas tour of duty.  These military ribbons may be awarded for the same duty as other authorized military medals and ribbons.  The Army also issues an Overseas Service Bar which is an entirely different decoration from the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Additional awards of the Army Overseas Service Ribbon are denoted by Award Numerals.  For those Army service members performing overseas duty prior to 1981, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon may be awarded retroactively, provided that a service member was on active duty subsequent to 1981.  These military ribbons are generally available as Army ribbons and lapel pins.  They may be worn as traditional slide-on military ribbons and thin military ribbons.