IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 25 September 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080012177 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of Item 14 (Military Education) on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show completion of the 2-week Jumpmaster Course in 1995. 2. The applicant states, in effect, that this military course was left off due to an administrative oversight. 3. The applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214, dated 22 August 1996; a copy of a memorandum, dated 26 October 1995, showing completion of the Jumpmaster Course; and a copy of a diploma, dated 26 October 1995, showing completion of the jumpmaster course, in support of his application. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 4 years on 23 July 1992. He completed basic combat and advanced individual training, and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Infantryman). He was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) on 22 August 1996. The highest rank/grade he attained during this period of military service was sergeant (SGT)/E-5. 3. Item 14 (Military Education) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he completed the Primary Leadership Development Course, the Survival Croatian Course, and the Infantry Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (ILLRP) Course. Item 14 does not show completion of the Jumpmaster Course. 4. The applicant’s records show he successfully completed the Jumpmaster Course of instruction during the period from 16 October 1995 to 26 October 1995, at Fort Benning, Georgia. 5. Review of the applicant's records indicates his completion of additional courses that are not shown on his DD Form 214. 6. Headquarters, U.S. Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia, Orders Number 315-1208, dated 10 November 1992, show the applicant was awarded the “P” skill qualification identifier (SQI) to his primary MOS, indicating that he successfully completed the 3-week Basic Airborne Course. 7. Department of the Army Certificate of Training, dated 29 January 1993, show the applicant successfully completed the 40-hour of instruction in German Headstart, at the School of Standards, in Darmstadt, Germany. 8. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of their military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. Chapter 2 of this regulation governs the preparation of the DD Form 214. In the version in effect at the time, Item 14 of the DD Form 214 lists formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214. This entry is obtained from the Soldier’s records and includes the course title, length in weeks, and year completed. This information is to assist the soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, do not list training courses for combat skills. When in doubt, refer to the course description in DA Pam 351-4 to determine its usefulness to the soldier after transitioning from the Army. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The evidence of record shows that the applicant completed the 3-week Basic Airborne Course, in November 1992; the 2-week Jumpmaster Course; in October 1995; and the one-week German Headstart Course, in January 1993, which are not shown on his records. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these military training courses. BOARD VOTE: __X_____ ___X____ ___X___ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing the entries "Jumpmaster Course, 2 weeks, 1995"; "Basic Airborne Course, 3 weeks, 1992"; and "German Headstart, 1 week, 1992," in Item 14 of the applicant's DD Form 214. _______ _ X_______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080012177 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080012177 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1