MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           03 February 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-12015
                                              AC1998014414

	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. Michael L. Engle		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred K. McCoy		Member	
	Mr. Mark D. Manning		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 military records be corrected to add time served in the United States Coast Guard (USCG)/Merchant Marine to his military retirement.  Further, he asks that the separation document (DD Form 214) issued by the USCG/Merchant Marine be amended to reflect his correct social security number and date of birth.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that his military retirement from the Army does not include credit for time served in the USCG/Merchant Marine.  He submits copies of his honorable discharge and DD Form 214 from the USCG/Merchant Marine and his retired military identification card.

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

He served in the Merchant Marine for an unknown number of years.  A DD Form 214 was issued by the USCG/Merchant Marine for the period from 26 September 1944 through 15 August 1945, to administratively establish active duty for the purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.  This DD Form 214 shows no actual active duty in the military service.

He was inducted into the Army on 12 October 1950 for 2 years.  He completed his initial training and served on active duty through a series of assignments and reenlistments until his retirement for length of service on 31 August 1971.  He attained the rank of master sergeant and completed 20 years, 10 months and 19 days of creditable active service.

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.  The evidence of record clearly shows that the applicant served in the Army for a period of 20 years, 10 months and 19 days, and was retired for length of service.

2.  The applicant’s contention that he should be credited with active duty service for his time in the USCG/Merchant Marine is not supported by the evidence.  The DD Form 214 issued for this period was only for the purpose of providing him with VA benefits.

3.  The DD Form 214 issued by the USCG/Merchant Marine is not a military record of the Department of the Army and, therefore, this Board does not have the authority to amend the mistakes that the applicant has identified.

4.  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

____X____  ____X____  ___X_____  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-12015	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	1999.02.03	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	136.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.