PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            10 May 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:    AR1999032401

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. George D. Paxson		Member	
	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests correction of his records to show award of the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

3.  The applicant states that he received an honorable discharge from the Army and should have received the Good Conduct Medal.  He states that he received the Army Commendation Medal for service in REFORGER in 1970.  The applicant also states that he received the Army Achievement Medal, the Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon, and the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon while a member of the Army National Guard.  He contends that he is entitled to the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon for his service in the Regular Army.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 3 May 1968 and completed training as a cook.  He was honorably discharged from active duty on 30 April 1971.  He served in the Army Reserve and subsequently in the Army National Guard for a combined total of 11 years.  He was discharged from the Army National Guard on 21 June 1991.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which covers his service in the Regular Army from 3 May 1968 through 30 April 1971 shows entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal and three marksmanship qualification badges.  His DD Form 214 does not show award of the Good Conduct Medal.  

6.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his unit commander for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  Records show the applicant’s conduct and efficiency were rated as “excellent” throughout his service and there is no indication of indiscipline in his records.

7.  The applicant’s National Guard Bureau Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) shows in item 15 that he was entitled to the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and two marksmanship qualification badges.

8.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s service records which show that he was recommended for or awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

9.  Permanent Orders 3-4 published by the 165th Military Police Battalion of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard on 6 February 1988 awarded the applicant the Army Achievement Medal.

10.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records that he completed a normal overseas tour while on active duty which qualified him for award of the Overseas Service Ribbon.  The applicant’s overseas training while a member of a Reserve Component has been recognized with award of the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

12.  The applicant’s service records show that he completed the Fifth U.S. Army Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course 10 September 1970.  However, the applicant’s DD Form 214 and his NGB Form 22 do not show award the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 shows that the Overseas Service Ribbon was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981.  The regulation states, in pertinent part, that effective 1 August 1981, all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status are eligible for the award for successful completion of overseas tours.  The award may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who were credited with a normal overseas tour completion before 1 August 1981 provided they had an Active Army status on or after 1 August 1981 and the overseas service is not recognized with another U.S. service medal.  Numerals are used to denote the second and subsequent awards of the Overseas Service Ribbon.

15.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 shows that the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981.  It is awarded to members of Active Army, Army National Guard, and US Army Reserve soldiers for successful completion of designated NCO professional development courses.  The regulation provides that completion of any noncommissioned officer education course prior to 1976 will be credited with the Primary Level only.

16.  Army Regulation 635-5 provides instructions for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  It states, in pertinent part, that item 26 (Decorations and Awards) will be completed to show the decorations awarded or authorized during the period covered by the DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 3 May 1968 through 30 April 1971 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  The applicant completed the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course on 10 September 1970 and is entitled to credit for completion of the basic level.  However, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon was not established by the Secretary of the Army until 10 April 1981.  Since the applicant became eligible for wear of this ribbon as a result of his service in the Reserve Component, the Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon should be shown on his NGB Form 22, not on his DD Form 214.  Therefore, it is recommended that the Pennsylvania Army National Guard amend the applicant’s NGB Form 22 with an effective date to show award of the Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon.

3.  There is no evidence of record, and the applicant had provided no evidence, which shows that he was recommended for or awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Army Commendation Medal.

4.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s service records that he completed a normal overseas assignment; therefore, there is no basis for award of the Overseas Service Ribbon to the applicant.

5.  The applicant’s entitlement to the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Achievement Medal and the Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon occurred during his Reserve Components service which was after the ending date of his DD Form 214.  Therefore, these awards cannot be added to his DD Form 214.  The Board notes that these awards are properly annotated on his NGB Form 22; therefore, there is no action required by the Board in regard to these awards.

6.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 3 May 1968 through 30 April 1971.

2.  That the individual concerned submit a request to the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard to correct the NGB Form 22 issued on 21 June 1991 to show award of the Noncommissioned Professional Development Ribbon. 

3.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

________  ________  ________  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032401	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000510	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19710430	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT 	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR SCHNEIDER	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.