IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 25 September 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120005627 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 his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show he completed and received a general education degree (GED) on 15 February 1972. 2. He states he needs his DD Form 214 corrected to show he received a GED instead of "general" so he can return to work. 3. The applicant provides no additional evidence. 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 February 1972. 3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) indicates he completed the tenth grade at Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, AZ, in 1971. 4. He was discharged on 26 July 1972 after completing of 4 months and 13 days of active military service. His DD Form 214 shows the entry "Education: 10 years General" which indicates he completed 10 years of general course studies, but did not receive a high school diploma. 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) governs the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. 6. The American Council on Education drives the direction, design, and delivery of the GED testing program – the only nationally recognized program that awards a high school equivalency credit. According to the council's Internet website, the GED test is taken by individuals who did not obtain a high school diploma. The GED tests were originally created to help veterans after World War II complete basic high school courses in preparation for returning to civilian life. Common reasons for GED recipients not having received a high school diploma include immigration to the United States or Canada; homeschooling; and leaving high school early due to a lack of interest, the inability to pass required tests, or personal problems. Individuals who pass the test receive a GED. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The applicant's service record is void of evidence and he has not provided any evidence which indicates he fulfilled the requirements for receiving a GED prior to his discharge on 26 July 1972. Therefore, there is no basis for amending his DD Form 214 to show he holds a GED. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ____x___ ____x ___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ____________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) AR20120005627 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120005627 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1