IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 27 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013830 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: 27 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013830 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: 27 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013830 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 DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Professional Development Ribbon. 2. The applicant states: a. Item 27 (Remarks) of his DD Form 214 shows he completed the NCO Education and Professional Development Program in Korea. He began the program in May 1971 and the advanced courses began in January 1972. The NCO Professional Development Ribbon is issued by the Army for completion of any prescribed NCO development course. He believes his DD Form 214 reflects his participation in the NCO Education and Professional Development Program and it is an injustice or error for the Army to ignore such an achievement, heraldry, or ribbon. b. As a Vietnam-era veteran, the Army has recognized all other service resulting in a ribbon or medal and recently Army civilian contractor linguists supporting our Armed Forces in Afghanistan [were recognized]. He enlisted his services during these periods without seeking recognition. However, recognition that has been received has been reinvested in continuous support of the efforts of the Army. If he is indeed entitled to such recognition for his training in the NCO Educational and Professional program, there is no question the recognition should be justly awarded. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and a court order reflecting a name change. 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 31 March 1971. He served in Korea from 17 December 1971 to 17 July 1973. 3. His record contains a Certificate of Training that certified he successfully completed the 40 hour course of instruction titled The NCO Education and Professional Development Program (Quick Fix) given in Korea from 11 through 15 September 1972. This certificate was signed by the Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, Yongsan, Korea. 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 29 March 1974 and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR). The DD Form 214 he was issued does not show the NCO Professional Development Ribbon. Item 27 does show he completed the NCO Education and Professional Development Program course. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the NCO Professional Development Ribbon was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981. It is awarded to Active Army, Army National Guard, and USAR Soldiers for successful completion of designated NCO Professional Development courses. Graduates of NCO Academy courses conducted prior to 1976 for the Active Army and 1980 for Reserve Components will be given credit for the primary level only. Acceptable evidence of graduation is a diploma, certificate, or letter signed by an appropriate Service school official. DISCUSSION: 1. The governing regulation states that qualification for the NCO Professional Development Ribbon requires successful completion of designated NCO professional development courses. Graduates of NCO Academy courses conducted prior to 1976 must provide evidence of graduation in the form of a diploma, certificate, or letter signed by an appropriate Service school official. 2. The evidence of record confirms the applicant completed a 40 hour NCO Education and Professional Development Program course in September 1972 in Korea. However, it does not appear that this was an NCO Academy course as the certificate he received was signed by the Garrison commander and not a Service school official. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150013830 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150013830 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2