IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 27 October 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110019273 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 award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and Army Achievement Medal. 2. The applicant states he was eligible for the Army Good Conduct Medal on 30 April 2011 and he was separated from the Army on 28 July 2011. He was told his Army Good Conduct Medal was approved. He spoke with his commanding officer as well as his first sergeant about this award and his expiration term of service award (Army Achievement Medal) but he has not received either. 3. The applicant provides no documentary evidence. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 30 April 2008 for a period of 3 years and 17 weeks. He completed his training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11C (Indirect Fire Infantryman). He served in Afghanistan from 7 March 2009 to 10 March 2010. On 9 September 2011, he was honorably released from active duty in the rank of specialist after completing 3 years, 4 months, and 10 days of creditable active service with no time lost. 2. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge form Active Duty) shows the: * Army Commendation Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars * Global War on Terrorism Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award) * North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal * Combat Infantryman Badge * Parachutist Badge 3. There are no orders for the Army Good Conduct Medal or Army Achievement Medal in the available records. 4. There also is no evidence he was disqualified by his chain of command from receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal. 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army 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 Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states 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. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also states that each recommendation for an award of a military decoration must be entered administratively into military channels within 2 years of the act, achievement, or service to be honored. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. He was released from active duty in the rank of specialist after completing 3 years, 4 months, and 10 days of honorable active service with no time lost and no record of any disciplinary actions taken against him. In addition, he served in Afghanistan for a year. Therefore, it appears he met the eligibility criteria for the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal based on completion of a period of qualifying service of 3 years from 30 April 2008 to 29 April 2011. 2. There are no orders for the Army Achievement Medal in the available records and there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of this medal. However, the applicant is still within the regulatory time frame for recommendation of this award. He should contact his last unit and inquire into this matter with them. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ____X____ ____X____ ____X____ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 30 April 2008 through 29 April 2011; and b. adding the Army Good Conduct Medal to item 13 of his DD Form 214. 2. The Board further determined that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to award of the Army Achievement Medal. _______ _ _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) AR20110019273 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110019273 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1