IN THE CASE OF:  	  

		BOARD DATE:  29 January 2015	  

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140008013 


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, in effect, correction of his record to show he obtained a General Educational Development (GED) equivalency diploma.

2.  The applicant states item 25 (Education and Training Completed) of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) should list "GED."

3.  The applicant provides his:

* DD Form 214, effective 15 July 1970
* U.S. Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) Test Report, dated 8 December 1969

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 record shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 19 July 1968.  He was honorably released from active duty on 15 July 1970.

3.  Item 25 of the DD Form 214 does not include an entry showing he completed any training or testing in an effort to obtain his GED.

4.  The applicant provides, and his record contains, a USAFI Military Test Report, issued by Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces Southern Command, Fort Amador, Canal Zone, dated 8 December 1969.  This document shows the applicant successfully passed the overall GED requirements.

5.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army.  It also establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The instructions for item 25 states to enter service schools, including major courses which were successfully completed and military-sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being completed.  This entry includes the highest civilian education level acquired during this period of military service, if appropriate.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant requests his military record be corrected to show he obtained his GED.

2.  The evidence of record confirms he successfully completed all parts of the high school level GED test battery in December 1969.  Therefore, it would be appropriate at this time to correct item 25 of the applicant's DD Form 214.

BOARD VOTE:

____X___  ____X___  ____X___ GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the entry "TESTS, GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL - December 1969" to item 25 of his DD Form 214.




      _______ _   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)                                         AR20140008013





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140008013



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