PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           13 June 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999033915

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mrs. Joyce A. Hughes		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Chairperson	
	Mr. John H. Kern		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		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 in effect, the award of the Good Conduct Medal (GCM) and a new DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). 

3.  The applicant states in effect, that he was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) in 1982, and that he graduated from the Primary Non-Commissioned Officers Course (PNCOC), however, these items are missing on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on
15 July 1980, as an Armor Crewman.  He was promoted to Specialist Four on 
1 March 1982.  On 28 May 1982, the applicant successfully completed the PNCOC.  His service record shows his conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of service as “excellent”.  The applicant’s available record does not show that he was recommended for the ARCOM. 

5.  On 14 July 1983, the applicant was honorably discharged, in pay grade 
E-4, under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 4 (Expiration Term of Service).  He had completed 3 years of honorable active service.  He was awarded the Army Service Ribbon and the Expert Pistol Badge.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, 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.

7.  It also provides, in pertinent part, the award of the Army Commendation Medal to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity after 6 December 1941 distinguishes himself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  The award may be made to any individual recommended for the award.

8.  Army Regulation 635-5 prescribes the separation documents prepared for soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service.  It establishes standardized policy for the preparation and for the reissuance of the DD Form 214 and the DD Form 215 (correction to the DD Form 214).

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was entitled to the first award of the GCM for the period 15 July 1980 through 14 July 1983, based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.

2.  There are no orders available to the Board, which authorized the applicant, the award of the ARCOM.  Therefore correction to his records cannot be made without sufficient documentation.  However, if the applicant can provide evidence that he was awarded the ARCOM, such as orders or a certificate, he can reapply for reconsideration.

3.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant attended and satisfactory completed PNCOC.

4.  The applicant does not meet the criteria listed in the Army 635-5 for the reissuance of a new DD Form 214.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the GCM to the applicant, correct item 13 of his DD Form 214 to show the GCM and item 14 to show that he attended and completed PNCOC.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__eb____  __jhk___  __bje___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Elizabeth Buchanon
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999033915	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000613	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0056	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.