IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 June 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150011234 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___X____ ___X____ ____X___ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 June 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150011234 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. IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 June 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150011234 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 for the period 1992 through 1996. 2. The applicant states her records contain an administrative error. She reenlisted in the California Army National Guard (CAARNG). 3. The applicant does not provide any 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 was born in May 1961. She enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) for 6 years on 26 August 1980 and held an administrative specialty. She served in the Regular Army from 30 October 1980 to 26 June 1981, when she was relieved from active duty due to hardship and transferred to the USAR. She served through multiple reenlistments in the USAR. 3. She entered active duty on 30 September 1983 and served in a variety of assignments. The available evidence confirm she was awarded 4 Army Good Conduct Medals for her active service as follows: * 1st Award, 30 September 1983 through 29 September 1986 * 2nd Award, 30 September 1986 through 29 September 1989 * 3rd Award, 30 September 1989 through 29 September 1992 * 4th Award, 30 September 1992 through 29 September 1995 4. The fourth award was announced in Permeant Orders B-10-002005, issued by Headquarters, USAR Personnel Command, St. Louis, MO on 13 October 1995, for the period 30 September 1992 through 29 September 1995. 5. She was honorably released from active duty on 7 September 1996. Her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows she completed 12 years, 11 months, and 8 days of active service. It also lists among her awards the Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award). 6. In connection with her release from active duty she enlisted in the CAARNG for 6 years in 1996. She was ultimately honorably discharged on 13 August 2002. REFERENCES: 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. This period is 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of active Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. DISCUSSION: 1. The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to enlisted members for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service. The applicant entered active duty on 30 September 1983. When she was released from active duty in September 1996, she had completed 12 years, 11 months, and 8 days of active service. She qualified for four awards of the Army Good Conduct Medal and she was in fact awarded four awards. 2. Her fourth award covered the period 30 September 1992 through 29 September 1995. Her fifth award would have begun on 30 September 1995 and ended on 29 September 1998. However, she was no longer on active duty after 7 September 1996 and thus did not qualify for a fifth award. 3. Her enlistment in the CAARNG is noted. However, there is no evidence she entered active duty and completed 3 consecutive years of active service between the date of her release from active duty in September 1996 and the date she was ultimately discharged in August 2002. 4. Her record with respect to the Army Good Conduct Medal is correct and there is no reason to change it. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150011234 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150011234 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2