BOARD DATE: 30 September 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140002295 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) ending on 30 September 2003 to show his rank/grade as sergeant major (SGM)/E-9. 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 shows an incorrect rank and grade. It should read E-9 in accordance with Permanent Orders 347-007, dated 13 December 2003, which show his retired grade as SGM. It is the right thing to do for Soldiers. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214, ending on 30 September 2003 * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) * PO 347-007, dated 13 December 2003 * Certificate of Appreciation 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 was born on 20 March 1953. 3. He enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG) on 17 September 1971. He served through multiple extensions in a variety of assignments. 4. He served on active duty while in the U.S. Army Reserve and/or ARNG from September 1983 to December 1990, December 1990 to May 1991, and May 1991 to May 1998. 5. In April 1993, SCARNG issued him a Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay at Age 60 (Twenty-Year Letter). 6. He entered active duty on 1 June 1998. He served in various positions within the ARNG. 7. On 22 January 2001, the National Guard Bureau (NGB) published Orders 22-36 promoting him to master sergeant (MSG)/E-8 effective 1 December 2000. 8. He retired on 30 September 2003 by reason of sufficient active service for retirement and he was placed on the Retired List on 1 October 2003. His DD Form 214 shows in: * Items 4a (Grade, Rate, or Rank) and 4b (Pay Grade) - MSG and E-8 * Item 12h (Effective Date of Pay Grade) - 2000-12-01 9. On 10 December 2003, SCARNG published Orders 344-826 (amended by Orders 363-887) discharging him from the ARNG and transferring him to the Retired Reserve effective 30 September 2003. The orders listed his retired grade as "MSG." 10. On 13 December 2003, SCARNG published state Orders 347-007 releasing him from the ARNG and transferring him to the Retired Reserve effective 1 October 2003. The orders listed his retired grade as "SGM (Honorary)." 11. There is no indication in his records that he was selected for promotion to SGM, completed the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Course, and/or served in the rank/grade of SGM/E-9. 12. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty and provides the individual with documentary evidence of their military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. Items 4a and 4 show the Soldier's rank/grade at the time of separation and item 12h shows the effective date of rank. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. There is no evidence in the applicant's records and he provides none to show he was selected for promotion to SGM or satisfied the requirements for promotion to SGM, specifically successful completion of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Course. 2. He bases his contention on a state retirement order that awarded him an "honorary" retired grade of SGM. This is possibly a state honor. However, there is no provision for promotion or retirement with an honorary grade in the governing Army regulation(s). The DD Form 214 is governed by Army Regulation 635-5 (or currently Army Regulation 635-8), not by a state law. 3. In view of the foregoing evidence, he is not entitled to the requested relief. 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 that 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) AR20140002295 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140002295 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1