IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 August 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210007838 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show in: * item 4a (Grade, Rate or Rank): first sergeant (1SG)/E-8 vice master sergeant (MSG)/E-8 * item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award) vice Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Orders 057-244, 26 February 2013 (Award of Special Qualification Identifier (SQI) M (Successfully Service in the 1SG Position for 180 Days) * Permanent Orders 172-253, 21 June 2018 (Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award)) * Orders 004-0006, 4 January 2018 (Retirement Orders) * DD Form 214, for the period ending 31 July 2018 FACTS: 1. The applicant states item 18 (Remarks) of his DD Form 214 shows “Retired List Grade 1SG.” Additionally, Orders 004-0006, dated 4 January 2018, paragraph 2 show “Retired Grade/Date of Rank: 1SG/1 December 2012” and Orders 057-244, dated 26 February 2013 show award of SQI M, 1 February 2012. 2. The applicant’s record contains sufficient evidence to support correction of his DD Form 214 by deleting the Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award) and adding the Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award). This award will not be discussed further in the Record of Proceedings. The Board will consider amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 to reflect the rank/grade of 1SG/E-8 vice MSG/E-8. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 28 July 1994. 4. He served in a variety of positions, including: * Saudi Arabia from 6 October 1998 to 6 February 1999 * Afghanistan from 24 August 2004 to 13 September 2005 * Iraq from 24 May 2009 to 24 May 2010 * Cuba from 9 August 2011 to 27 July 2013 (1SG from 1 February 2012 to 19 September 2013) * Cuba from 3 February 2015 to 30 October 2015 5. The applicant provides and his record contains: * Orders 057-244, dated 26 February 2013, which shows he was awarded SQI M for successfully serving in the 1SG position for 180 days * Permanent Orders 172-253, 21 June 2018, which shows he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award) for the period of service 28 July 2015 to 27 July 2018 * Orders 004-0006, dated 4 January 2018, which shows his retired grade/date of rank as 1SG/1 December 2012 6. He was honorably retired on 31 July 2018. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 24 years and 3 days of active duty. It also shows in: * item 4a (Grade, Rate or Rank): MSG * item 4b (Pay Grade): E-8 * item 12i (Effective Date of Pay Grade): 1 August 2011 * item 18 (Remarks): Retired List Grade 1SG 7. By regulation (AR 635-8), the DD Form 214 provides the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. At the time of his retirement, he was not performing duties of 1SG. He was performing the duties of and held the rank of MSG, not 1SG, on his last day of active duty. * items 4a and 4b show the active duty rank and pay grade at time of the Soldier's separation from his or her records * item 12i shows the effective date of pay grade from the most recent promotion document; Soldiers who have served in ranks of corporal, first sergeant, or command sergeant major often have a date of rank different the effective date of pay grade 8. By regulation (AR 635-200), NCOs holding the rank of MSG at retirement whose records show successful service as a 1SG will be placed on the Retired List in the grade title 1SG. The criteria for such placement on the Retired List are that the Soldier must be serving as and retiring as an MSG, must possess special qualification identifier "M," and must have served as a 1SG. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found partial relief is warranted. 2. At the time of his retirement, he was no longer serving as a 1SG. Therefore, the appropriate rank to enter in item 4a of his DD Form 214 was MSG. He was then properly assigned to the Retired List as a 1SG as required by regulation. The Board determined the rank entered in item 4a of his DD Form 214 is not in error or unjust. 3. The Board concurred with the correction described in Administrative Note(s) below. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF :XX :XX :XX GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 making the correction described in Administrative Note(s) below. 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is 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 rank recorded in item 4a of the DD Form 214. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE: The applicant’s record contains sufficient evidence to support correction of his DD Form 214. As a result, amend his record by deleting the Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award) and adding the Army Good Conduct Medal (8th Award). REFERENCE: 1. Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation directs, in pertinent part, that the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. Chapter 2 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states: * items 4a and 4b show the active duty rank and pay grade at time of the Soldier's separation from his or her records * item 12i shows the effective date of pay grader from the most recent promotion document; Soldiers who have served in ranks of corporal, first sergeant, or command sergeant major often have a date of rank different the effective date of pay grade 2. Army Regulation 635-200 (Enlisted Separations), chapter 12, in effect at the time, stated for NCOs holding the rank of MSG at retirement whose records show successful service as a 1SG will be placed on the Retired List in the grade title 1SG. The criteria for such placement on the Retired List are that the Soldier must be serving as and retiring as an MSG, must possess special qualification identifier "M," and must have served as a 1SG. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210007838 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1