IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 November 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140004532 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 her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). 2. The applicant states that corrections were made to her retirement award documents changing the award from an Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) to an MSM. She received the MSM as a retirement award in lieu of the ARCOM, but it was after she was issued her DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides copies of her – * DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) * DA Form 4980-12 (MSM Certificate) DD Form 214 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 30 March 1992. She was awarded military occupational specialty 88M (Motor Transport Operator). Through a series of reenlistments, she continued to serve in the RA. She was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant on 1 January 2006. 2. A DA Form 638, dated 28 September 2012, shows in – * item 8 (Previous Awards) the – * Army Achievement Medal (AAM) (3rd Award) * ARCOM (2nd Award) * item 10 (Recommended Award): MSM * item 11 (Period of Award): from 1 October 2002 to 30 September 2012 * item 12 (Reason for Award) – * block a (Indicate Reason): Retirement * block b (Interim Award): a checkmark in the "No" box a. It also shows the award approval authority approved the award on 3 October 2012. b. It further shows that Headquarters, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA, Permanent Order Number 277-6, dated 3 October 2012, announced the award of the MSM to the applicant. 3. An MSM Certificate shows the Deputy Commanding General, I Corps, JBLM, WA, awarded the applicant the MSM for exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 2002 to 30 September 2012, and that it was announced in Permanent Orders 277-6, dated 3 “September” 2012. 4. The applicant's Enlisted Record Brief, dated 27 September 2012, shows in section VIII (Awards and Decorations), in pertinent part, the ARCOM (2nd Award) and the AAM (2nd Award). It does not show the MSM. 5. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows she was retired from active duty on 30 September 2012. It also shows, in pertinent part, the ARCOM (2nd Award) and the AAM (2nd Award). It does not show the MSM. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Records show that permanent orders awarded the applicant the MSM for the period 1 October 2002 to 30 September 2012. 2. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant's DD Form 214 to show award of the MSM. 3. The evidence of record shows that the applicant received two awards of the ARCOM. The DA Form 638 that recommended her for award of the MSM does not show she was awarded an interim award (i.e., the ARCOM) and, in fact, shows that she had previously been awarded the ARCOM (2nd Award). Thus, based on the available evidence, it is concluded that the applicant is entitled to two awards of the ARCOM. Therefore, no action is being taken at this time to delete the ARCOM (2nd Award) from the applicant's DD Form 214. However, if the applicant has award documents (i.e., permanent orders, ARCOM certificate, etc.) showing it as a duplicate award for the same period of service as the MSM, and desires to have the ARCOM (2nd Award) deleted from her DD Form 214, she may submit an application, along with documentary evidence, to this Board for reconsideration of this action. 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 to her DD Form 214 the Meritorious Service Medal. 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 the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award). __________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) AR20140004532 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140004532 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1