PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:            4 April 2002                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001065598

	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	
	Mr. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Ms. Karen Y. Fletcher		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, that his records be corrected to show entitlement to award of the Ranger Course, the Ranger Tab, a Demolitions Course, and an ETS (expiration term of service) award. 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his records do not show entitlement to the above awards.  He provides a copy of his Ranger Course Diploma, an order awarding the Ranger Tab, an order awarding the Parachutist Badge, and a Certificate of Training for an 80-hour demolitions Course.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that the applicant was in the Army Reserve Delayed Enlistment Program from 25 September to 20 October 1997.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 21 October 1997.  He completed his required training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  

5.  He was discharged on 20 October 2000 under Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 4, based on completion of his required active service.  His separation document indicates he had 3 years of creditable service.  He was awarded the Parachutist Badge and the Army Service Ribbon.

6.  Permanent Orders 088-243, United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia, dated 29 March 1998 announced the award of the Parachutist Badge effective 10 April 1998.

7.  Permanent Orders 234-215, United States Army Infantry Center, dated        22 August 1999 announced the award of the Ranger Tab effective 27 August 1999.

8.  Department of the Army Certificate of Training indicates the applicant successfully completed an 80-hour Demolitions (MTT) Course during the period 6 through 17 December 1999.

9.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separation Documents) indicates, in pertinent part, that all formal in-service training courses successfully completed during the period of service will be listed.  This information is to assist the soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills will not be listed.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) 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 GCMDL, disqualification must be justified.  

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 does not provide for an ETS award.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Regulatory requirements dictate that training curses for combat skills will not be listed on the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); therefore the Ranger and Demolitions Courses do not qualify for entry. 

2.  The Ranger Tab is a qualified entry and his records should be corrected accordingly.

3.  There is nothing in the applicant’s records, which would disqualify him for award of the GCMDL, and absence of the award is not justified for the period    21 October 1997 to 20 October 2000, and his records should be corrected accordingly.

4.  Pertinent regulations do not provide for an ETS award.

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 showing the individual concerned was awarded the Ranger Tab effective 27 August 1999 and the GCMDL for the period 21 October 1997 to     20 October 2000.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

_kyf____  _rwa____  _aao____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________ DENY APPLICATION

			Arthur A. Omartian 
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001065598	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020404	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.