PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                15 March 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999028232

	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:

	Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Ms Margaret K. Patterson		Member	
	Mr. Van B. Cunningham		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 Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and that item 14 (Military Education) be corrected to show his correspondence courses.

3.  The applicant states that the Army Commendation Medal and his correspondence courses are not listed on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, copy of DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) and three copies of correspondence course completion notices.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 29 December 1993 as an ammunition specialist and was honorably discharged on 15 March 1997.  

5.  His discharge document does not show the ARCOM as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of DA Form 638, which shows that he was awarded the ARCOM by Headquarters, 36th Engineer Group Permanent Orders Number 195-53, dated 23 July 1997.

7.  The applicant provided three copies of correspondence course completion notices, which he completed prior to his discharge.

8.  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.  Correspondence courses are not formal in service training courses; therefore, they are not listed on the DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Permanent Orders show the applicant was awarded the ARCOM; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  The applicant completed several correspondence courses prior to his discharge, which are not formal in service training courses.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show these courses.

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 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

_RVO___  MKP____  VBC_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr._
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX
CASE ID	AR1999028232	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000315	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19970316	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 66		
2.  1021		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.