MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            19 JUNE 2003                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003088295

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John S. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Lana E. McGlynn		Member	
	Mr. William D. Powers		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, that his separation document be corrected to delete information indicating that he was on active duty for training in 1959.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that his 6 months of active duty in 1959 was not for training.  He states that he is unable to obtain Department of Veterans Affairs benefits as long as his separation document shows that he was on active duty for training purposes only.  In support of his request he submits a 2003 letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating that "active duty for training does not qualify for VA medical benefits."  

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records were likely lost or destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.  Information contained herein was reconstructed from alternative sources, including information provided by the applicant.

The applicant enlisted in the Army Reserve in February 1959 and as such incurred a 6 year statutory service obligation.  He was ordered to active duty in March 1959 for the purpose of undergoing training.  His separation document and monthly payment vouchers all confirm that his period of active duty was for the purpose of undergoing training.

He was initially assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic combat training and in May 1959 was reassigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama to undergo aircraft maintenance training.

Orders issued by the United States Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker on 
16 September 1959 confirm that the applicant was released from active duty and returned to the United States Army Reserve to complete his 6 years of military service.  He was released from active duty on 21 September 1959.  His separation document correctly reflects that his 6 months of active duty was for the purpose of training.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  There is no evidence, nor has the applicant provided any, that his period of active duty was for other than training purposes.  Evidence available to the Board confirms that the applicant's period of active duty between March and September 1959 was for the purpose of undergoing training.

2.  The fact that the applicant may not be entitled to certain Department of Veterans Affairs benefits based on the reason for his period of active service is not a basis to modify his separation document.

3.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy that requirement.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__JNS __  __LEM __  __WDP__  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003088295	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20030619	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	 DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.