PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:          2 October 2003                    
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003086705

	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. Kathleen A. Newman		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Army Achievement Medal (AAM).

3.  The applicant makes no statement, but provides in support of his request a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of a DA Form 4980-18 (Certificate for AAM), signed by his battalion commander on 15 September 1999, showing award of the AAM.

4.  The applicant’s military record shows that he was appointed a Reserve commissioned officer on 31 May 1997 upon his graduation from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York.  He served in an active duty status from 31 May 1997 until he was honorably released and assigned to the USAR Control Group, St. Louis, Missouri, on 30 May 2002.  During the period for which he received the AAM, he was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

5.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge and the Army Lapel Button.  

6.  The certificate the applicant provided shows that he was awarded the AAM by Permanent Order# 258-01, Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, Fort Hood, dated 15 September 1999, for meritorious achievement in connection with his role in support of the training of more than 5600 Soldiers for deployment to Bosnia from 18 October 1998-25 February 1999.  

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the AAM is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States who, while serving in a noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders is required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's records show that he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment during the period for which he received the AAM.  The records also show that the officer who awarded the applicant the AAM was the Battalion Commander during the same time period.

2.  The Board accepts the applicant's DA Form 4980-18 as proof that he was awarded the AAM "[F]or meritorious achievement while supporting operations for individual readiness training."

3.  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 be corrected by issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) showing that he was awarded the AAM.

BOARD VOTE:  

__kan___  ___le___  __jtm___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Kathleen A. Newman
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003086705	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20031002	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0025	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.