PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 27 April 2000
           DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999026712

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show that he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal (AAM), that item 14 (Military Education) be corrected to show that he completed the Sniper Course and correction of his DA Form 2-1
(Personnel Qualification Record).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 does not show the
Army Achievement Medal or that he completed the Sniper Course.  In support of his application he submits an award certificate and orders for the AAM, two Disposition Forms (Request for Sniper School & Records Update) dated 22 October 1987 and 7 December 1987 and a copy of his diploma from the United States Infantry School (USAIS) for completion of the Sniper Course.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 10 June 
1985 as a light weapons infantryman and was honorably discharged on 15 October 1988.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Army Achievement Medal
as an authorized award.  Item 14 (Military Education) of the DD Form 214 does not show the Sniper Course.

6.  The applicant provided an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal on 11 February 1988.

7.  The Disposition Form (Records Update), dated 7 December 1987, shows that the applicant completed the Sniper Course, was a graduate of class #2-88 and that his DA Form 2-1, item #17 would be updated to show the entry “USAIS/SNIPER/03WK/YES/87”.  The applicant’s DA Form 2-1 was updated to show the above entry.  Therefore, this portion of the applicant’s request will not be discussed any further in this proceeding.

8.  The applicant provided a copy of a diploma from the USAIS, dated 
8 December 1988, which shows that he completed the Sniper Course.

9.  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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Army Achievement Medal on 11 February 1988.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed the Sniper Course on 8 December 1988.  However, in accordance with the governing regulation, training course for combat skills will not be entered in item 14 (Military Education) on the DD Form 214.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this course for combat skills.

3.  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 by showing in item 13 (Awards and Decorations) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

EB______  TAP____  KLW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____ELIZABETH BUCHANON___________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999026712	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000427	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19881015	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR  635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  64		
2.  		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.