PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:          23 September 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003084329

	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. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Jennifer L. Prater		Chairperson	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Member	
	Mr. Patrick H. McGann, Jr.		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, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty) be corrected to show that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), the Combat Lifesaver Badge, and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge for pistol, rifle, tank weapon, and machine gun.  He also requests that his DD Form 214 be corrected to show that he completed the primary leadership development course (PLDC).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was attached to "G-3 Operations, 1st Cavalry Division" and that he was handed his ARCOM and the orders for the award and he went to Bahrain on leave for rest and relaxation.  Three days later, he returned to his unit and found that his bags had been packed and loaded on a five-ton truck.  As a result of this, he along with other soldiers in the unit incurred losses.  He believes that he lost the orders for award of the ARCOM during a Saudi customs check.  He was awarded the ARCOM for military excellence.  He led the 1st Cavalry into Iraq on his M-1 Abrams tank.  The left track hit a mine after he traveled several hundred miles into Iraq.  He also states in a letter written to the Board that his DD Form 214 has been corrected to show both the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that, on 30 December 1987, he enlisted in the Regular Army for 4 years.  He was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for completion all required training.  Following completion of basic training and a 
14-week advanced individual training course, he was awarded MOS (military occupational specialty) 19K, Armor Crewman, on 15 April 1988.  This training is authorized to be shown on his DD Form 214.

5.  In October 1990, the applicant was enrolled in the Army Correspondence Course Program and he completed the Combat Lifesaver Course.  This course is not authorized to be shown on the DD Form 214.

6.  The applicant served in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm from 6 December 1990-23 April 1991.  Afterwards, he returned to the United States to Fort Hood, Texas, and he served until he was honorably separated on 11 December 1991, due to expiration of service obligation - holiday early transition program.

7.  Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on the applicant's DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Badge (Pistol), Army Lapel Button, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars.  Item 14 (Military Education) is annotated to show "NONE."

8.  On 5 March 1994, while in the United States Army Reserve, the applicant completed PLDC at the Region I Noncommissioned Officer Academy. 

9.  On 15 May 2001, this Board corrected the applicant's record to show award of the Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (K).  He was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to show these awards.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the ARCOM may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

11.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part, it states that Block 14 (Military Education) will list formal in-service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered.  The listing will include title, length (in weeks), and month and year completed.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's record is silent on the issue of his award of the ARCOM and he has provided insufficient evidence to show award of that decoration.

2.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Pistol).  There is insufficient evidence available to show qualification with any other weapon.  

3.  The applicant completed the Combat Lifesaver Course by correspondence and he completed PLDC after he was separated.  Therefore, neither course is authorized to be shown on his DD Form 214.  

4.  The Army does not have a Combat Lifesaver Badge.

5.  The applicant's DD Form 214, Item 14 should be corrected to show that he completed the ARMOR CREWMAN COURSE, 14-weeks, in April 1988. 

6.  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 to show in Item 14 of his DD Form 214 that he completed the ARMOR CREWMAN COURSE, 14-WEEKS, APRIL 1988.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__jlp___  __aao___  __phm___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Jennifer L. Prater
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003084329	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030923	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0000	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.