IN THE CASE OF BOARD DATE: 10 November 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150004675 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 completion of the Master Gunners Weapons Course. 2. The applicant states he believes the omission of this course from his DD Form 214 was an accident. He is now working in the firearms industry and having this training on his DD Form 214 will help him advance in the company. 3. The applicant provides: * Certificate of Achievement * Certificate of Training – Master Gunners Weapons Course 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. On 16 July 1985 the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army with prior enlisted service. He held military occupational specialty 88M (Motor Transport Operator). 3. A DD Form 214 shows he was discharged on 29 September 1994, in the rank of sergeant/E-5. This form shows in item 14 (Military Education) – * German Headstart, 1 week November 1985 * Primary Leadership Development Course, 4 weeks, 1987 * Unit Maintenance Management Systems, 1 week, 1990 * Commercial Driver's License Operator's Course, 2 weeks, 1991 * Transportation Battalion Drivers Course, 2 weeks, 1992 * Alcohol and Drug Coordinator Course, 1 week, 1993 4. He submitted: a. A Certificate of Achievement dated 27 March 1992 that was presented to him for graduating from the Master Gunners Weapons Course. The certificate states, in part, that the course included detailed disassembly, assembly and functioning of United States small arms, marksmanship training, machinegun employment, and range firing. b. A Certificate of Training showing he completed the 80-hour Master Gunners Weapons Course on 18 October 1993. 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. Chapter 2 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states for item 14, enter formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period covered by the DD Form 214 and include title, length in weeks, and year completed. This information is to assist Soldiers in job placement and counseling; do not list training for combat skills. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The Master Gunners Weapons Course is a combat training course that included detailed disassembly, assembly and functioning of United States small arms, marksmanship training, machinegun employment, and range firing. The applicant's completion of this training is not in question; however, the governing regulation does not allow for an entry of training for combat skills on the DD Form 214. Therefore, there is no basis for adding this course to his DD Form 214 2. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his official military personnel file. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to his completion of the Master Gunners Weapons Course. 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 that 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) AR20120015040 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150004675 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1