PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  13 November 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003085978

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ronald E. Blakely		Member	
	Ms. Eloise C. Prendergast		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 item 14 (Military Education) of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be corrected to show "4 WK" (4 weeks) instead of "13 WKS" (13 weeks).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he began advanced individual training (AIT) on 11 September 1992 and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal on 15 March 1994; however, it is not shown on his DD Form 214.  He was also awarded the United Nations Medal for his service in Somalia and the US   Central Command Combat Patch that are not shown on his DD Form 214.   The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Permanent Order Number        22-118, dated 22 February 1994, an award certificate awarding him the Army Achievement Medal, Manifest Report List, and a copy of Permanent Orders    101-1, 30 November 1993.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he enlisted 10 July 1992, as a light wheel vehicle mechanic.  He continued to serve until he was discharged on 15 August 1994 under honorable conditions.

5.  Item 14 of his DD Form 214 shows the entry "Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic Course, 13WKS (weeks), 92 (1992)."

6.  Item 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools) of his DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows the entry "LT WVEH MECH 63B (light wheel vehicle mechanic) 13 wk (weeks) 92 (1992)."  This entry includes basic training.  Item 35 of his DA Form 2-1 shows that he began AIT on 11 September 1992 and was enroute to his new duty station on 13 October 1992 (32 days). 

7.  The applicant provided a copy of DA Form 638, which shows that he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal by Headquarters, 169th Combat Support Battalion Permanent Orders 22-118, dated 22 February 1994, for meritorious service for supporting Operation Continue Hope.

8.  Headquarters, 13th Corps Support Command Permanent Orders 101-1, dated 30 November 1993, shows he was assigned to the United Nations Logistic Support Command Mogadishu, Somalia, effective 1 December 1993.  His manifest report list shows that he was listed for deployment to Somalia.

9.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  It states, in pertinent part, 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.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) and MILPER Message Number 94-137 (with a date/time group of 041530Z February 1994) provided for award of the Untied Nations Medal for participation in one or more of the following six United Nations Operations (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia, United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia, United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, the United Nations Iraq/Kuwait Observation Group and the United Nations Operation in Somalia (to include U.S. Quick Reaction Force Members)).  The United Nations Medal is award is awarded by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and is categorized as NON-U.S. Service Medal.  The certificate issued by the United Nations constitutes award of the United Nations Medal.  Participation in the operation does not automatically qualify the individual for the United Nations Medal and the service member must have been presented the medal by a representative of the Secretary-General.

11.  MILPER Message Number 92-202 (with a date/time group of 170650Z May 1995) provided for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for participation in Operation Restore Hope and United Shield in Somalia.  The message limited eligibility for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to those U.S. military forces who participated in, or directly supported, within the area of operations from 5 December 1992 through 31 March 1995.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, and U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.  Qualifying service for this award includes the requirements to be a bona fide member in a unit and to be engaged in the operation or serve in the area of operations for 30 days, be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days provided support involves entering the area of operations, be engaged in combat, participate as a member of an aircraft flying in support of the operation, or be recommended or attached to a unit recommended for award of the medal if the above criteria have not been met.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 governs the Army Awards Program.  The US Central Command Combat Patch is not listed as an authorized award in the regulation.  Therefore, the US Central Command Combat Patch is not discussed further in this proceeding.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  It is apparent that the Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic Course was approximately 32 days in duration.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of item 14 (Military Education) of his DD Form 214 to show the entry "4 WKS" (weeks) instead of "13 WKS" (weeks).
2.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  The evidence of record shows that he participated one of the United Nations operations which qualified for awarded of the United Nations Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

4.  The applicant served a period of qualifying service for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in Somalia during Operation Continue Hope; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and correction of his records to show this award.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case for the individual concerned be corrected:

a.  by showing in item 14 (Military Education) the entry "4 WKS"; and 

b.  by showing that he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the United Nations Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 

BOARD VOTE:  

__ao___  __rb____  __ep____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Arthur A. Omartian___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003085978	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20031113	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	GD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19940815	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-200, chapt 14-12b	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	46	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.