PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:            7 May 2002                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002067580

	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. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Kenneth W. Lapin 		Member	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		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 her records be corrected to show entitlement to award of the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) and that her Sharpshooter M16 Badge be changed to Marksman.

3.  The applicant states that her DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty), dated 30 May 1979 is incorrect.  She states that the GCMDL is not shown, and that she earned a Marksman Qualification Badge not a Sharpshooter as noted on her DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that the applicant enlisted in the Army Reserve Delayed Enlistment Program on 23 February 1976 and enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 June 1976.  She completed her required training and was awarded military occupational specialty 26L (Tactical Microwave Systems Repairman).

5.  During the period 13 January 1977 to 27 May 1979, she served in a unit in Germany.

6.  She was promoted to pay grade E-5, effective 25 January 1979.

7.  Her Personnel Qualification Records shows she was awarded the Sharpshooter M16 Qualification Badge.

8.  On 4 May 1979, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the in/out processing unit, 261st Personnel Service Company noted that she was missing the first award of the GCMDL for the period 2 June 1976 to 1 June 1979.  

9.  On 30 May 1979, she was honorably separated, in pay grade E-5, under chapter 5, Army Regulation 635-200, based on the short length of service remaining prior to the expiration of her term of service.  Her DD Form 214 indicates she had 2 years, 11 months and 29 days of creditable service.  She was entitled to award of the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge.

10.  Her DD Form 214 shows award of the Sharpshooter M16 Qualification Badge.  It shows no other awards.

11.  There is nothing in the available records to indicate award of the Marksman Qualification Badge.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the GCMDL 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 GCMDL, disqualification must be justified.  
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board notes the applicant met the eligibility requirements for award of the GCMDL for the period 2 June 1976 to 1 June 1979, without disqualification and her records should be corrected accordingly.

2.  There is nothing in the available records to support the applicant’s contention that she was entitled to award of the Marksman Qualification Badge in lieu of the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the GDMCL, 1st award for the period 2 June 1976 to 1 June 1979.

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

BOARD VOTE: 

_jtm____  _sas____  _kwl_____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________ DENY APPLICATION

			Samuel A. Crumpler
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002067580	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020507	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.