IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 November 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014127 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: 3 November 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014127 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 his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) the Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. 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 Antiarmor Leader's Course and the M-60 Machine Gun Leader's Course to his DD Form 214. _____________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: AR20150014127 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: * award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) * award of the Army Achievement Medal (AAM) * Antiarmor Leader's Course * M-60 Machine Gun Leader's Course 2. The applicant states the awards and the schools are not listed on his DD Form 214. 3. He provides: * Two Certificates of Training * Orders 52-53, dated 24 March 1988, with AAM Certificate * ARCOM Certificate, dated 30 October 1988 * DD Form 214 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 October 1985 and held military occupational specialty 11B (Infantryman). 3. The applicant provides two Certificates of Training that show he successfully completed the M-60 Machine Gun Leader's Course from 16 to 27 March 1987 and the Antiarmor Leader's Course from 12 to 23 October 1987. 4. He provided Permanent Orders Number 52-53, published by Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, on 24 March 1988 and a certificate that show he was awarded the AAM for the period 3 to 8 February 1988. 5. He provided an ARCOM Certificate, dated 30 October 1988, that indicates he was awarded the ARCOM for meritorious service for the period 30 October 1985 to 30 October 1988 while assigned to Bravo Company, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division. His Military Personnel Record Jacket (MPRJ) does not contain a copy of the orders awarding him the ARCOM. The period of service cited coincides with his period of active duty service. 6. He was honorably released from active duty in the rank/grade of sergeant/E-5 on 30 October 1988. His DD Form 214 credits him with completing 3 years of active duty service and contains the following entries: a. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized (All Periods of Service): * Army Service Ribbon * Army Lapel Button * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar * Army Good Conduct Medal * Jungle Expert Badge * Parachutist Badge b. Item 14 (Military Education) - "Computer Programmer/Basic and COBOL, 5 weeks, 8809." REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the ARCOM may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 2. 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 14 of the DD Form 214 a list formal in service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed; e. g., medical, dental, electronics, supply, administrative, personnel or heavy equipment. This information is to assist the Soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills will not be listed. DISCUSSION: 1. Orders verify the applicant was awarded the AAM. His DD Form 214 does not reflect this award. 2. He provides a copy of the certificate for the ARCOM. However, Army Regulation 600-8-22 specifically states, "formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required." The applicant's MPRJ does not contain orders and he did not provide orders awarding him the ARCOM. It is noted that the period of service cited on the ARCOM Certificate he provides coincides with his period of active duty. 3. The evidence of record shows the applicant successfully completed the Antiarmor Leader's Course and the M-60 Machine Gun Leader's Course. However, these are courses for combat skills, which, in accordance with Army Regulation 635-5, are not listed 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) AR20150014127 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150014127 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2