IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 7 October 2021

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210011168


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of item 5a (Grade, Rate, or Rank) and item 5b 
(Pay Grade) of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer 
or Discharge) for the period ending 29 July 1971 to show his rank/grade as 
specialist five (SP5)/E-5.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record under the Provisions 
of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552)
*	State of Michigan, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Transcript of Military Active 
Duty Federal Service, 25 November 2020
*	DD Form 214

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, 
U.S. Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records 
(ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file.

2.  The applicant states he was promoted to SP5 when he was discharged. He is in 
need of medical coverage since he lost his job.

3.  He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 30 July 1969. His 
DD Form 47 (Record of Induction), 30 July 1969, shows his social security number 
(SSN) as.

4.  U.S. Army Flight Training Center and Fort Stewart Special Orders Number 169, 
30 July 1970, awarded him the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar 
(M-14) effective 9 May 1970.

5.  Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Detachment 1, Fort Stewart, GA, Unit 
Orders Number 34, 21 September 1970, promoted him to specialist four (SP4)/E-4 
effective 8 September 1970.



6.  U.S. Army Flight Training Center and Fort Stewart Special Orders Number 155, 
14 July 1971, relieved him from active duty not by reason of physical disability effective 
29 July 1971 and transferred him to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group 
(Annual Training). These orders show his rank as SP4.

7.  He was honorably released from active duty on 29 July 1971 and transferred to the 
USAR Control Group (Annual Training) by reason of expiration term of service. He 
completed 2 years of total active service. His DD Form 214 shows in:

*	item 3 (SSN) – (temporary identification number)
*	item 5a (Grade, Rate, or Rank) – SP4
*	item 5b (Pay Grade) – E-4
*	item 6 (Date of Rank) – 8 September 1970
*	item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and 
Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – National Defense Service Medal

8.  His records do not contain a DA Form 2139 (Military Pay Voucher).

9.  His records contain a U.S. Army Administration Center memorandum 
(Discontinuance of Military Service Number as Personnel Identification), 2 September 
1971, announcing the discontinuance of the military service number as personnel 
identification effective 1 July 1969. He was requested to record his SSN and return the 
form within 30 days. The memorandum shows his SSN as 

10.  U.S. Army Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center Letter 
Orders Number 06-1201482, undated, honorably discharged him from the USAR 
effective 1 July 1975 in the rank of SP4. The orders show his SSN as 

11.  His records are void of orders promoting him to the rank/grade of SP5/E-5.

12.  He provided his State of Michigan, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Transcript of 
Military Active Duty Federal Service, 25 November 2020, showing a summation of his 
active duty federal service and documenting his name, branch, character of separation, 
rank, date of birth, date of entry, and date of release. The transcript shows his rank as 
SP4.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief 
is not warranted.

2.  The Board found no evidence showing the applicant was promoted to SP5/E-5 
during his period of active duty service.  The Board determined the rank/grade recorded 
on his DD Form 214 are not in error or unjust.  

3.  The Board concurred with the corrections described in Administrative Note(s) below.


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:X	:X	:X	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

Other than the corrections addressed in Administrative Note(s) below, the Board 
determined the evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable 
error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are 
otherwise insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual 
concerned.
	 
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(S): The applicant is authorized administrative correction of 
his DD Form 214 for the period ending 29 July 1971 to show the following entries 
without Board action:

*	item 3 – 
*	item 24 – Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14)


REFERENCES:

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 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.

2.  Army Regulation 600-200 (Enlisted Personnel Management System) prescribes 
policies, responsibilities, and procedures pertaining to career management of Army 
enlisted personnel. It states promotion of enlisted personnel to grades E-3 through E-9, 
appointments, grade reductions, and grade restorations will be announced in routine 
orders.

3.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), 23 January 1967 established 
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. It provides a 
brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, 
retirement, or discharge. It is important that information entered on the form is complete 
and accurate and reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. The 
specific instructions stated for:

	a.  item 3, transcribe the social security account number from the DA Form 2139;

	b.  item 5a, enter the grade in which serving at time of separation, indicating whether 
permanent or temporary; e.g., "MSG (P) or "MSG (T)";

	c.  item 5b, enter the pay grade; e.g., "E-8" or "E-4"; and

	d.  item 6, enter the date of rank for the grade shown in item 5a.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20210011168


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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