PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            29 March 2000     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1998007424

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Chairperson	
	Mr. Mark D. Manning		Member	
	Mr. James P. Steuve		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests, in effect, that item 18 (Remarks) of his DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) dated 20 July 1998 be corrected to show award of the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar instead of the Expert Qualification Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar; that item 14 (Military Education) of the DD Form 215 dated 20 July 1998 be corrected to show “BASIC AIDMAN CRS 91A10 SP FORCES USAIMA 10 WEEKS 69” instead of “BASIC AIDMAN CRS 91A10 USAIMA 10 WEEKS 69” and “SP FORCES AIDMAN 300-F1 MFSS FSHTEX 17 WEEKS 70” instead of “SP FORCES AIDMAN 300-F1 MFSS FSHTEX 10 WEEKS 70”.  He also requests that military occupational specialty (MOS) “P91B2P” [medical specialist with special skill identifier - parachutist] be shown in item 11 (Primary Specialty) of his DD Form 214 with an effective date of 24 August 1971 and that item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) be corrected to show award of the Recondo Badge and a Certificate of Achievement.  The applicant requests that a new DD Form 214 be issued to show the aforementioned amendments.  He also requests that a DD Form 214 be prepared for his period of active Reserve service from 27 October 1978 to 29 October 1979. 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar and two Aidman courses are incorrectly shown on his DD Form 215 dated 20 July 1998 and that he served in MOS 91B2P for 
16 months and this MOS is not shown on his discharge document.  He contends that he is entitled to the Recondo Badge, that a Certificate of Achievement should be shown on his DD Form 214 and that he should be issued a new DD Form 214 to incorporate the aforementioned amendments.  He also contends that a DD Form 214 should be prepared for his period of active Reserve service from 27 October 1978 to 29 October 1979.  In support of his application, he submits a brief with Exhibits 1 through 29.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 2 June 1964 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a medical specialist in Vietnam from 23 April 1966 through 9 April 1967 and was honorably discharged on 14 April 1967 and transferred to an Army Reserve Control Group.  On 4 September 1968 the applicant reenlisted in the Army for a period of 3 years and was honorably discharged on 24 August 1971.       

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), dated 20 July 1998, shows the entries “EXPERT QUALIFICATION BADGE W/AUTOMATIC RIFLE BAR”, “BASIC AIDMAN CRS 91A10 USAIMA 10 WEEKS 69”, and “SP FORCES AIDMAN 300 F1 MFSS RSHTEX 10 WEEKS 70”.

6.  Item 11 (Primary Specialty) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 with an effective date of 24 August 1971 which was administratively reissued on 18 June 1998 does not show MOS 91B2P.  The DD Form 214 does not show the Recondo Badge or a Certificate of Achievement as authorized awards.

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 215 dated 20 July 1998 shows the entry “EXPERT QUALIFICATION BADGE W/AUTOMATIC RIFLE BAR” as an authorized award. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) shows the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar is the correct name for this award.

8.  The applicant provided a copy of his graduation certificate which shows he was a graduate of the Basic Aidman Course on 30 October 1969.  Item 45 (Item Continuation) of the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he completed the 10 week course in 1969. 

9.  The applicant provided a copy of his diploma which shows he successfully completed the first and second phases of the Special Forces Aidman (Airborne) Course, 300-F1, on 27 March 1970.  Documentation provided by the applicant shows he attended the course from 17 November 1969 through 27 March 1970, for a total of 17 weeks.

10.  The applicant’s personnel records show he was placed on parachute duty on 24 March 1969 and awarded MOS 91B2P with the special skill identifier “P” (Parachutist) effective 11 April 1969.  Records also show the applicant was a deliberate airborne terminator and his parachute duty and MOS 91B2P was terminated effective 22 July 1970 resulting in removal of the special skill identifier “P”.       

11.  The applicant provided a certificate which shows that he completed the Recondo Course on 23 November 1968. 

12.  The applicant provided a copy of a Certificate of Achievement, dated 
1 March 1969, for meritorious performance of military duty. 

13.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records that shows he served on active duty while a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from 27 October 1978 through 29 October 1979.

14.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with an effective date of 24 August 1971 shows the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar as an authorized award.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) shows the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar is the correct name for this award.

15.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part it states that item 14 (military education) will list formal in service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed.  This information is to assist the soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills are not listed.

16.  Army Regulation 635-5 also states that item 11 (Primary Specialty) will list the primary MOS, and all additional MOS’ served for a period of one year or more, during soldier’s continuous active military service.  For each MOS list the title with the years and months served will be shown.

17.  Recondo, Raider and Jungle Warfare Training Courses are conducted by brigade and division level units throughout the Army as local training courses in combat skills.  The badges awarded upon completion of these courses are awarded in accordance with local policies governing these training courses.   These badges are not governed by the Department of the Army awards regulation and, as a result, they are not annotated on the DD Form 214.  In accordance with Army Regulation 635-5, which governs preparation of separation documents, Recondo, Raider and Jungle Operations Training Courses are not entered under education and training of the DD Form 214 because training courses for combat skills are not listed on the DD Form 214.

18.  Army Regulation 635-5 provides that item 13 of the DD Form 214 will reflect decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized for all periods of service.  Certificates of Achievement, Letters of Appreciation, and similar documents are not recorded on the DD Form 214.

19.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part it states that a DD Form 214 will not be reissued unless directed by proper appellate authority, unless it is determined that required corrections will not fit within the space on a single DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), unless two DD Forms 215 have already been issued and another correction is required or unless the character of service is changed.

20.  Army Regulation 635-5 directs that a DD Form 214 will only be issued for active duty service.   

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The entry “EXPERT QUALIFICATION BADGE W/AUTOMATIC RIFLE BAR” on the applicant’s DD Form 215 dated 20 July 1998 is incorrect.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the entry “EXPERT MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION BADGE W/AUTOMATIC RIFLE BAR”.  

2.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that item 14 (Military Education) on his DD Form 215 dated 20 July 1998 should reflect “BASIC AIDMAN CRS 91A10 SP FORCES USAIMA 10 WEEKS 69” instead of “BASIC AIDMAN CRS 91A10 USAIMA 10 WEEKS 69”.  However, his graduation certificate shows the applicant completed the Basic Aidman Course on 30 October 1969, which lasted for 10 weeks.  In accordance with the governing regulation, item 14 will list service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed.  Therefore, his military records should be corrected to show the entry “BASIC AIDMAN COURSE 10 WEEKS OCTOBER 1969”.

3.  The applicant’s contention that item 14 (Military Education) on his DD Form 215 should reflect “SP FORCES AIDMAN 300-F1 MFSS FSHTEX 17 WEEKS 70” instead of “SP FORCES AIDMAN 300-F1 MFSS FSHTEX 10 WEEKS 70” was also noted by the Board.  However, his diploma shows the applicant completed the Special Forces Aidman (Airborne) Course 300-F1 on 27 March 1970, which lasted 17 weeks.  In accordance with the governing regulation, item 14 will list service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed.  Therefore, his military records should be corrected to show the entry “SPECIAL FORCES AIDMAN (AIRBORNE) COURSE 300-F1 17 WEEKS MARCH 1970”.

4.  The applicant was awarded and served in MOS 91B2P for approximately
1 year and 4 months; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this MOS.

5.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed the Recondo course on 
23 November 1968.  However, in accordance with the governing regulation, training courses for combat skills are not listed on the DD Form 214.
 
6.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded a Certificate of Achievement on 1 March 1969.  However, in accordance with the governing regulation, Certificates of Achievement are not recorded on the DD Form 214.

7.  The Board noted the applicant’s request that a new DD Form 214 be issued in his case.  Due to the administrative errors on the applicant’s DD Form 214 with an effective date of 24 August 1971 administratively reissued on 18 June 1998 and his DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) dated 20 July 1998, a new DD Form 214 should be issued to include all corrections addressed in the proceedings.

8.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he served on active duty while a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, he is not entitled to a DD Form 214 covering the period of his service in the U.S. Army Reserve.  

9.  The entry “SHARPSHOOTER QUALIFICATION BADGE W/RIFLE BAR” on the applicant’s DD Form 214 with an effective date of 24 August 1971 which was administratively reissued on 18 June 1998, is incorrect.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the entry “SHARPSHOOTER MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION BADGE W/RIFLE BAR”.   

10.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected: 

	a.  by voiding the DD Form 214 with an effective date of 24 August 1971 which was administratively reissued on 18 June 1998 and any DD Forms 215 which amended the DD Form 214; and

	b.  by issuing a new DD Form 214 with the following corrections:

	c.  by deleting the entries “MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION BADGE W/AUTOMATIC RIFLE BAR” and “SHARPSHOOTER QUALIFICATION BADGE WITH RIFLE BAR” in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the DD Form 214 with an effective date of 24 August 1971 which was administratively reissued on 18 June 1998 of the individual concerned; and 

	d.  by adding  the entries “EXPERT MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION BADGE W/AUTOMATIC RIFLE BAR” and “SHARPSHOOTER MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION BADGE W/RIFLE BAR” in item 13 of the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned; and 

e.  by adding the entries “BASIC AIDMAN COURSE 10 WEEKS OCTOBER 1969” and “SPECIAL FORCES AIDMAN (AIRBORNE) COURSE 300-F1 17 WEEKS MARCH 1970” in item 14 (Military Education) of his DD Form 214; and

f.  by adding the entry “91B2P MEDICAL SPECIALIST (PARACHUTIST) 
1 YR 4 MOS” in item 11 (Primary Specialty) of his DD Form 214. 

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

RGH_____  MDM_____ JPS __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Robert G. Hinkel______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998007424	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000329	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19710824	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Overseas Returnee	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0108	
2.	107.0109	
3.	100.0700	
4.	100.0500	
5.		
6.