IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 6 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150012703 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ___X____ ____X____ ____X____ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 6 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150012703 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 adding to item 25 of his DD Form 214 the Combat Leadership Noncommissioned Officer Course. 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is 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 adding the 3D Brigade Task Force Noncommissioned Officer's Preparatory School. ______________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: 6 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150012703 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, his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show: * award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) * 3D Brigade Task Force Noncommissioned Officer's (NCO) Preparatory School * Combat Leadership NCO Course 2. He states after reviewing his personnel records, he realized that his ARCOM and two NCO schools were not listed on his DD Form 214. 3. He provides: * Letter of Achievement, dated 18 November 1967 * Two certificates, dated 18 November and 1 December 1967 * Orders 888, dated 3 March 1968 * Letter to the National Personnel Record Center (NRPC) Archives, dated 4 June 2015 * letters from NRPC, dated 31 October 2001 and 13 July 2015 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 contains a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) issued on 26 August 2015, which added the ARCOM to his DD Form 214. As such, this Record of Proceedings will not address the applicant's request for the ARCOM further. 3. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 21 September 1966. 4. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) from 17 March 1967 to 16 March 1968. 5. He provides: a. A certificate, dated 18 November 1967, which shows he successfully completed the 3D Brigade Task Force NCO Preparatory School in the RVN. b. A letter of achievement from his brigade commander that commends his accomplishment as honor graduate of the NCO's Preparatory School, Class 7-68. The commander noted the applicant's achievement and stated that his training in leadership, offensive and defensive tactics, land navigation, communications, and adjustment of indirect fire weapons would prove invaluable. c. A certificate, dated 1 December 1967, that shows he successfully completed the Combat Leadership NCO Course in the RVN. 6. The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 23 August 1968. Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) of his DD Form 214 contains the entry "None." REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations), in effect at the time, established standardized procedures for preparation and distribution of the DD Form 214. The regulation stated, in pertinent part, to enter in item 25 of the DD Form 214 service schools including major courses which were successfully completed, military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges, and installation training courses (qualification courses), during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214. DISCUSSION: 1. The evidence of record shows the applicant successfully completed the Combat Leadership NCO Course on 1 December 1967. This course appears to fall into the category of a "major course," which is a basis for listing it on his DD Form 214. 2. He provides a certificate showing he successfully completed the 3D Brigade Task Force NCO Preparatory School. However, this course does not appear to be in any of the categories specified in Army Regulation 635-5 that would have authorized its entry on the DD Form 214. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150012703 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150012703 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2