IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 November 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013960 BOARD VOTE: ___x_____ ___x___ ___x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 November 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013960 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 deleting the "X" entry in the "NO" block of item 16 of his DD Form 214 and adding an “X” in the "YES" block. _____________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: 3 November 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013960 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 a correction to his DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), item 16 (High School Graduate or Equivalent) to show he completed general education development (GED). 2. The applicant states that he obtained his GED while serving on active duty and item 15 of his DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect "yes" instead of "no." 3. The applicant provides a copy of his GED Certificate. 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 5 April 1978, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. He was trained in and awarded military occupational specialty 64C (Motor Transport Operator). 3. Item 42 (Education Level) of the applicant's DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) includes an entry referencing his civilian education. It shows he had 3 years of high school. 4. On 4 April 1981, the applicant was honorably released from active duty. Item 16 of the DD Form 214 issued to him at that time contains an “X” in the “NO” block. 5. The applicant provides a GED Certificate from the State of GA, dated 4 February 1981, showing he was awarded a GED prior to his separation date. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, release from active duty service, or control of the Active Army. It also establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. Chapter 2 contains preparation instructions for the DD Form 214. The instructions for Item 16 state, in pertinent part, that if Soldier has a GED, check the "YES" block and if he does not, check the "NO" block. The source document for completion of the DD Form 214 is the Personnel Qualification Record and documents officially filed in the Official Military Personnel File. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant contends his military record should be corrected to show he obtained his GED. There is sufficient evidence to support this claim. 2. The DA Form 2 completed upon his entry on active duty confirms he only completed 3 years of high school. However, he received a GED Certificate on 4 February 1981, while serving on active duty. That information is not reflected on his 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) AR20150013960 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150013960 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2