IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 14 January 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150006930 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 military records by showing he was promoted to sergeant, pay grade E-5, and awarded the Army Achievement Medal (AAM) prior to his retirement due to physical disability. 2. The applicant states orders were generated for his AAM and promotion prior to his retirement. 3. The applicant provides copies of: * A DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member Copy 4) * Enlisted Record Brief (ERB), dated 11 February 2015 * A DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) initiated 19 February 2015 * Permanent Orders, 2nd BCT, dated 19 February 2015 * Orders 061-02, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), dated 2 March 2015 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. On 12 January 2010, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. He was trained as an infantryman. 2. A DA Form 638, dated 19 February 2015, as provided by the applicant, shows he was recommended for award of the AAM for the period 13 January 2014 to 6 February 2015. The recommendation was approved by the appropriate battalion commander. 3. Permanent orders announced the applicant’s award of the AAM for meritorious service during the period 13 January 2014 to 6 February 2015. 4. Orders 061-02, 2nd BCT, dated 2 March 2015, as provided by the applicant, announced his promotion to sergeant, pay grade E-5 effective 1 March 2015. 5. Orders 042-0024, Fort Bliss, Texas, announced the applicant’s release from active duty and placement on the retirement list effective 12 April 2015. These orders indicate his active duty and retired rank/pay grade as specialist, E-4. 6. A DD Form 214 shows the applicant was retired on 11 April 2015 due to a temporary physical disability. It further shows he had completed 5 years and 3 months of creditable active duty service and attained the rank of specialist, pay grade E-4. His awards do not include the AAM. 7. An ERB, dated 13 April 2015, as filed in the applicant’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) shows his rank as sergeant with a date of rank of 1 March 2015. 8. Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) provides detailed instructions for completing separation documents, including the DD Form 214.  It provides that 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. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends that his military records should be corrected to show he was promoted to sergeant, pay grade E-5, and awarded the AAM prior to his retirement due to physical disability. 2. The available evidence shows that the applicant was promoted to sergeant, pay grade E-5, prior to his retirement due to physical disability. However, his separation orders and DD Form 214 show him as a specialist, pay grade E-4. It would be appropriate to correct these documents and pay him all monies due as a result of these corrections. 3. Orders announced the applicant’s award of the AAM prior to his retirement. Therefore, his DD form 214 should be corrected to show this medal. 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: a. showing his rank and pay grade on his DD Form 214 as sergeant, E-5; b. adding the Army Achievement Medal to his DD Form 214; and c. requesting that DFAS pay him any monies due as a result of these corrections. _______ _ 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) AR20150006930 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150006930 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1