PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           27 June 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001065100

	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	
	Ms. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Chairperson	
	Ms. Kathleen A. Newman		Member	
	Mr. Richard T. Dunbar		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 that his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty) be corrected as follows:

	a.  Item 8 (Last Duty Assignment and Major Command) - should be "PDC, Pacific Command (PACOM), Psychological Operations Battalion (A), 4th Psycho-logical Operations Group (A)."

	b.  Item 11 (Primary Specialty) - should be "37F10 00 PSYOP Spec -- 1 YR - 5 MOS."

	c.  Item 13 (Awards and Decorations) - should include the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and the Army Achievement Medal (AAM).

	d.  Item 14 (Military Education) - should be Psychological Operations Specialist Course -- 12 Weeks -- April 1999.

Furthermore, the Certificate awarding the applicant the AAM should show his rank as Specialist, not Sergeant.

3.  The applicant states that the above entries are incorrect.  In support of his application, he submits: a copy of his DD Form 214; a Letter of Commendation dated 25 March 1999; a Diploma from the United States Army John F. Kennedy (JFK) Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, dated 1 April 1999; Order Number 134-1 and Order Number 137, both from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and both dated 14 May 1999; Memoranda with enclosure, dated 10 June 1999 and 20 June 2000; a General Counseling Form, dated 30 July 1999; Orders Number 238-1, from the JFK Special Warfare Center and School, dated 26 August 1999; a DD Form 1610 (Request and Authorization for TDY Travel of DOD Personnel), dated 14 April 2000; a Letter of Recommendation, dated 12 November 2000; and recommendations and the Certificates showing award of the ARCOM and the AAM.

4.  The applicant further states that in February 1999, during advanced individual training (AIT), he received medical treatment for a chronic medical condition concerning his ankle, but was able to successfully complete AIT.  Traditionally, the next step for a soldier serving in MOS 37F would have been airborne training. However, he was forced to undergo a lengthy physical therapy process and eventually, he was reevaluated and cleared to attend airborne training.  While waiting to attend airborne training, he served as a Psychological Operations 

Specialist with the PACOM Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Battalion (A), 4th Psychological Group (A), which was the unit to which he would be assigned after the completion of airborne training.  He served with this unit from 17 May 1999 until he was honorably released on 21 July 2000, due to a medical condition.  

5.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) on 11 September 1998.  On 8 October 1998, he was discharged from DEP and he enlisted in the Regular Army in pay grade E-4 for 4 years, training in MOS 37F, and the Loan Repayment Program.  The available evidence indicates that he completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was assigned to Fort Bragg, North, Carolina, on 17 December 1998 to attend PSYOP Specialist Course 243-37F10 for AIT.  He attended the course from 11 January 1999 to 1 April 1999 when he graduated.

6.  Order Number 134-1, dated 14 May 1999 shows that the applicant was assigned to "Company B, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg" and that he was attached to "Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Psychological Operations Group, Fort Bragg, for duty from 17 May-13 August 1999. 

7.  Order Number 137-1, also dated 14 May 1999, shows that the applicant was further attached to PACOM, Psychological Operations Battalion, Fort Bragg, from 17 May through 13 August 1999.

8.  Orders Number 238-1, dated 26 August 1999, shows that, effective 17 August 1999, the applicant was still assigned to "Company B, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg" and that he was attached to "HHC, 4th Psychological Operations Group, Fort Bragg for the purpose of on-the-job training in MOS 37F, Psychological Operations Specialist, from 17 August through 17 October 1999. 

9.  The applicant's recommendation for award of the AAM shows that he was awarded the AAM for meritorious achievement during Exercise Cobra Gold 2000 in the Kingdom of Thailand during the period 17 April to 23 May 2000.  At the time, he was a Specialist (SPC/E-4), but the AAM Certificate shows his rank as Sergeant (SGT/E-5).

10.  The applicant's recommendation for award of the ARCOM shows that he performed duties as the company's Information Management Systems Security Officer.  He was instrumental in planning and preparing for Exercise Tempo Brave 1999 and 2000.  Although the copy of the recommendation submitted with the application lacks signatures, the ARCOM Certificate is properly signed by the Commander, 4th Psychological Operations Group.

11.  On 21 July 2000, the applicant was honorably released from active duty under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-40 with severance pay due to a disability.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the ARCOM 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.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the AAM is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States, who while serving in a noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Orders clearly show that the applicant was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 1st  Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg.  The applicant was attached to the "PDC, PACOM PSYOP Bn (A)."  His DD Form 214 is, therefore, correct in Item 8a.

2.  The evidence available indicates that the applicant successfully completed the PSYOP Specialist Course on 1 April 1999.  According to the proponent for MOS 37F at the US Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM), completion of the Psychological Specialist Course automatically confers MOS 37F -- there is no requirement for OJT.  Based on his graduation date of 1 April 1999, he served in the MOS for 1 year and 4 months.

3.  Item 13 on the applicant's DD Form 214 should be corrected to show that he was awarded the ARCOM and the AAM. 

4.  Item 14 on the applicant's DD Form 214 should be corrected to show that he completed 12 weeks of training and was awarded MOS 37F, Psychological Operations Specialist in April 1999.

5.  The applicant's AAM Certificate contains a typographical error that indicates he was a Sergeant.  He should be issued a new AAM Certificate to show that his correct rank was Specialist.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) showing:

a.  in Item 11 that his primary specialty and length of service is "37F10 00 PSYOP Spec -- 1 YR - 4 MOS."

b.  in Item 13 that he was awarded the ARCOM and the AAM.  

c.  in Item 14 that he completed the Psychological Operations Specialist Course, 12 weeks, April 1999// NOTHING FOLLOWS.

2.  That the individual concerned be issued a new AAM Certificate showing that his correct rank was Specialist.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__inw___  __kan___  __rtd___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Irene N. Wheelwright
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001065100	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020627	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	20000721	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR635-40	
DISCHARGE REASON	A03.00	
BOARD DECISION	(PARTIAL GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0700	
2.	107.0200	
3.	107.0025	
4.		
5.		
6.