PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           14 November 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000041891

	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.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Robert J. McGowan		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley L. Powell		Chairperson	
	Ms. Meta Waller		Member	
	Ms. Terry L. Placek		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 that his record be corrected to reflect a second award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) and that he received "Veteran Preference Points."

3.  The applicant makes no statement, but provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty; a copy of his Certificate of Award of the AGCM for the period 12 August 1993 to 11 August 1996; a copy of the front page of a DA Form 638, Recommendation for Award, dated 15 April 1996, for the Army Achievement Medal (AAM); and a copy of a certificate awarding him the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army for a 6-year period on 12 August 1993 and training as a helicopter repairman.  He was honorably discharged on 11 August 1999 upon completion of his term of service.  His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, shows that he was awarded the Army Lapel Button, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Aircraft Crewman Badge.

5.  The applicant's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) shows that he received two awards of the AGCM; one for the period 12 August 1993 to 11 August 1996, and the other for the period 12 August 1996 to 11 August 1999.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.

7.  The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal was authorized by the Secretary General of NATO for specific NATO operations.  The Secretary of Defense may approve acceptance and wear by United States service members who meet the criteria specified by the Secretary General of NATO.  Acceptance of the NATO Medal has been approved for U.S. military personnel who serve under NATO command or operational control in direct support of NATO operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia from 1 July 1992 through a date to be determined.

8.  A Veterans Preference is a hiring preference afforded certain qualifying veterans when applying for Federal and certain state employment.  The Department of the Army does not award Veterans Preference points; they are awarded at the time of application for employment based upon the job applicant's military service record.
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was issued a second award of the AGCM for the period 12 August 1996 to 11 August 1999, but it is not reflected on his DD Form 214.

2.  The applicant was issued the NATO Medal, but it is not reflected on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant's qualification for Veterans Preference points will be determined by his employer based upon his service record as represented by his DD Form 214.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, showing that he was awarded a second AGCM and also a NATO Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__slp___  __mw____  __tlp____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		    __Shirley L. Powell___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000041891	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001114	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	DASA	
ISSUES         1.	107.0056	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.