MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:     

	BOARD DATE:           4 March 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1998013396

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

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Lee Cates 		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Curtis W. Barbee		Chairperson	
	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon 		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

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

APPLICANT REQUESTS: That his records be corrected to show award of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM).

APPLICANT STATES: That there is no specific time period for service and the Fall 1996 issue of the Army Reserve Magazine shows a reservist receiving the MOVSM for work with Boy Scouts.  He asks “What is the difference between his volunteer work and my work”.  Further, he indicates he did not receive equal consideration.  In support of his application, the applicant submits numerous documents, to include a copy of the original recommendation, copies of documents verifying Red Cross service, correspondence between the applicant and various agencies at St. Louis, and other related documentation which will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File. 

EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:

The applicant was appointed as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve effective 27 July 1968.

During the period 1 February 1969 to 30 September 1975, the applicant served on active duty as a member of the Army Reserve.  He continued his service in the inactive Army Reserve until his assignment to the Retired Reserve.

Effective 6 April 1994, ARPC-PAT-O000 Orders C-04-414842A01, Army Reserve Personnel Center, released the applicant from assignment to the Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) and assigned to the Retired Reserve based on his failure to earn sufficient retirement points.

On 6 October 1995, a supervisor of American Red Cross volunteers recommended the applicant for award of the MOVSM based on his service as a volunteer instructor during the period 1 January 1993 to 6 April 1994.  His area of instruction was first aid, safety and disease transmission.

The Army Reserve Personnel Command Awards Board voted to deny award of the MOVSM to the applicant and forwarded the case to the Commander, Army Reserve Personnel Command for final action and recommended that a Certificate of Appreciation be awarded.

On 17 December 1996, the Chief, Inquiries/Awards Branch, Army Reserve Personnel Center advised the applicant that his recommendation did not meet the criteria for award of the MOVSM; however, a Certificate of Appreciation was awarded.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), indicates the MOVSM may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their Reserve Components, who subsequent to 31 December 1992, perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature.  To qualify for award of the MOVSM, a service member’s volunteer service must meet the following requirements:  (1) Be to the civilian community, to include the military family community.  (2) Be significant in nature and produce tangible results.  (3) Reflect favorably on the Military Service and the Department of Defense.  (4) Be of a sustained and direct nature.

While there is no specific time period to qualify for the MOVSM, approval authorities shall ensure the service to be honored merits the special recognition afforded by this medal.  The MOVSM is intended to recognize exceptional community support over time and not a single act or achievement.  Further, it is intended to honor direct support of community activities.  For the purpose of this award, attending membership meetings or social events of a community service group is not considered qualifying service, while manning a community crisis action telephone line is considered qualifying service.

Approval authority for award of the MOVSM will be commanders serving in the rank lieutenant colonel.  Before the recommendation is forwarded to the award approval authority, the recommender must certify that the service member meets the eligibility criteria for award of the MOVSM.  Substantiating documentation, such as record of hours contributed, letters or certificates from activity supervisors, or other proof of the service member’s volunteer services may be attached as enclosures to the recommendation.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant’s recommendation was properly evaluated by an authorized awards board and determined not to meet the requirements for award of the MOVSM.  He was awarded a lesser award for his volunteer activities for which he was recommended.

2.  In order to justify correction of a military record, the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

CWB____  EB_____  RJW_____  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						       Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998013396	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990304	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19950406	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-100	
DISCHARGE REASON	Trf to Ret Res	
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.107	MOVSM	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.