PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                21 July 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1999015532

	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. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Curtis W. Barbee		Chairperson	
	Mr. James M. Alward		Member	
	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		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 award of the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant states that he served three years on active duty with no bad time and no disciplinary action.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that entered active duty on 9 April 1982 and served as a military policeman until he was honorably discharged on 8 April 1985.  

5.  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.  There is no indication of indiscipline in his records.  

6.  Records show that the applicant received two awards of the Army Achievement Medal and that he received an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term of service.

7. 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.  Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of unfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence the applicant was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There is no evidence the applicant was disqualified for award of the Good Conduct Medal.

2.  The Board noted that the applicant completed three years of active duty, he received two personnel decorations for achievement, he was advanced to the rank of specialist, and his service was characterized as honorable at the time of his separation from active duty.

3.  Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 9 April 1982 through 8 April 1985 based on completion of three years of qualifying service.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Good Conduct Medal and correction of his records to show this award.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 9 April 1982 through 8 April 1985 and correcting his records to show this award.

BOARD VOTE:  

CWB____  JMA____  RGH____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Curtis W. Barbee______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015532	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990721	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19850408	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR HARRELL	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.