PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:          

	BOARD DATE:              10 September 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR2002073143

	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	
	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. William D. Barr		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 item 15b (High School Graduate or Equivalent) on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be changed from "No" to "Yes" to show he completed high school based on General Educational Development (GED) testing.  He also requests correction of records to show he completed the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC), the "Funds Clerk Course" and to show that he was awarded the Air Assault Badge.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show these corrections.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214; his GED official report; two GED diplomas; orders awarding him the Air Assault Badge; a Certificate of Training from the Air Assault School; his diploma from the Chaplain Assistant BNCOC; his Verification of Military Experience and Training; and his diploma from the Nonappropriated Chaplain's Fund Clerk Course.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 October 1992 and successfully completed basic and advanced individual training.  He reenlisted twice and served in Korea from 21 January 1996 through 26 January 1997.  The applicant was discharged on 21 December 2001.

5.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows that "No" was checked in item 15b.  His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows he completed high school GED in 1992.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of his high school equivalency diploma which indicates that he successfully completed the requirements for the GED program on 20 May 1992.

7.  The applicant's DD Form 214 does not list the BNCOC in item 14 (Military Education).  His personnel records contain a DA Form 1059 (Service School Academic Evaluation Report) which shows he attended the BNCOC during the period 8 January 1997 through 24 February 1997.

8.  The applicant provided a copy of his diploma from the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  This document shows he graduated from the Chaplain Assistant BNCOC on 24 February 1997.  

9.  The applicant also provided a diploma from the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School which shows he graduated from the Nonappropriated Chaplain's Fund Clerk Course on 23 August 1996.  This course is not listed in the DA Pamphlet 351-4 (U.S. Army Formal Schools Catalog) and the diploma does not show the length of this course.

10.  Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Permanent Orders Number 043-176, dated 12 February 2002, awarded the applicant the Air Assault Badge for successful completion of the standard Air Assault Course, Class Number 51-07 effective 4 August 1997.  

11.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part, it directs that the "Yes" block will be marked in item 15b (High School Graduate or Equivalent) if the soldier has a GED.

12.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) 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 of 40 hours or more 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.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant completed the prescribed testing for award of his GED diploma in May 1992.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show "Yes" in item 15b.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed the BNCOC during the period 8 January 1997 through 24 February 1997.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 will be amended to show the entry "BASIC NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER COURSE, 6 WEEKS, FEBRUARY 1997" in item 14.

3.  The Board noted the applicant's request for correction of his records to show he completed the "Funds Clerk" course.  However, the Nonappropriated Chaplain's Fund Clerk Course is not listed as a formal training course in DA Pamphlet 351-4 (U.S. Army Formal Schools Catalog) and there is no indication of the length of this course.  Based on this information, there is no basis for amending the applicant's DD Form 214 to show this course.

4.  Orders show the applicant was awarded the Air Assault Badge, therefore, his DD Form 214 will be amended to show this badge.

5.  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:

a.  by amending item 15b (High School Graduate or Equivalent) on the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned to show the entry "Yes";

b.  by amending item 14 (Military Education) on his DD Form 214 to show the entry "BASIC NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER COURSE, 6 WEEKS, FEBRUARY 1997"; and 

c.  by amending item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) to show he was awarded the Air Assault Badge.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE____  BJE_____  WDB____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Fred N. Eichorn_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002073143	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020910	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT IN PART	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	Mr. Schneider	
ISSUES         1.	100.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.