IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 April 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130014409 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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show: a. an address in Augusta, Georgia instead of an address in Okalona, Mississippi and b. award of the Legion of Merit. 2. The applicant states the address on his DD Form 214 was the temporary address he used prior to establishing a permanent residence upon transitioning from the military. The Legion of Merit was his retirement award which he received after his DD Form 214 was completed. 3. The applicant provides two mailing labels and a copy of his Legion of Merit certificate. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. On 31 July 2013, the applicant was honorably retired for sufficient service in the rank/grade of sergeant major/E-9. 2. His DD Form 214 shows in: * item 19a (mailing address after separation), an address in Okalona, Mississippi * item 19b (Nearest Relative), an individual with an address in Okalona, Mississippi * item 21a (Member Signature), the applicant's digital signature * item 21b (Date), he signed the form on 9 April 2013 3. His DD Form 214 does not list a Legion of Merit in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized); however, the applicant provides and his record contains Permanent Order 130-2, issued by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, VA, dated 10 May 2013, which awarded him the Legion of Merit. 4. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states the DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It provides instructions for completing each item on the DD Form 214. The instructions for items 19a and 19b state: * mailing address after separation and nearest relative will be provided by the Soldier * this address must be a permanent address * advise a Soldier that the name and address of a relative should be someone who will know their location and address at all times DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The available evidence does not support the applicant's request for correction of item 19a and 19b of his DD Form 214 to show an address in Augusta, Georgia instead of an address in Okalona, Mississippi. 2. Considering that the mailing address after separation is provided by the Soldier, it must be presumed that the DD Form 214 accurately reflects the information he provided. The fact that he subsequently changed his address is noted; however, a change in plans subsequent to completion of the DD Form 214 is an insufficient basis for changing the address on his DD Form 214. 3. Permanent orders awarded him the Legion of Merit; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ____X____ ___X_____ ___X_____ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the Legion of Merit to his DD Form 214. 2. The Board further determined that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to correcting item 19a and 19b of his DD Form 214 to show an address in Augusta, Georgia. _____________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) AR20130014409 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130014409 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1