IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 22 February 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100019273 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the awards of the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal and his combat patch. 2. The applicant states his records may not have been forwarded to his duty station with the 12th Infantry at Fort Carson, CO. 3. The applicant provides no additional evidence. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 May 1988, the highest pay grade he held was E-4, and he was honorably released from active duty on 10 September 1992 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement). 3. His DD Form 214 shows his last unit of assignment was with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, Fort Carson, CO. 4. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 lists the Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge. 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides Department of the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations, Army Good Conduct Medal, service medals and ribbons, combat and special skill badges and tabs, unit decorations, and trophies, and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments. a. 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, distinguishes 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. b. The Army Achievement Medal is awarded to members 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. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 6. Army Regulation 670-1 (Uniforms and Insignia) governs the requirements for wear of the shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service, commonly referred to as a "combat patch." The regulation authorizes optional wear of the U.S. Army shoulder sleeve insignia of any former wartime unit in which a Soldier served during a period of eligibility. Periods of eligibility are announced by Department of the Army and only shoulder sleeve insignia approved for wear by Headquarters Department of the Army are authorized to be worn on the right sleeve of the Army Green and field uniforms to signify wartime service. There are no provisions for entering the shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service on the DD Form 214 as it is an item of uniform wear and not an award or decoration. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 to show the award of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and his combat patch. 2. His record is void of any official recommendations or permanent orders awarding the applicant the Army Commendation Medal or Army Achievement Medal. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to correct his DD Form 214. 3. The record shows he served in Southwest Asia during a qualifying period and was eligible to wear the combat patch while on active duty. However, there are no provisions to list the combat patch on his separation document; consequently, his DD Form 214 is correct as administered. 4. In view of the foregoing, his request should be denied. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___X___ ___X____ ___X____ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. __________ X___________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100017970 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100017970 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1