IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 October 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014654 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: 4 October 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014654 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 from item 16a of his DD Form 214 the existing entry and adding "11B2PT2, Light Weapons Infantryman, 741206" * adding to item 27 of his DD Form 214 the entries: * Light Weapons Infantry, 8 weeks, 1974 * Basic Airborne Course, 3 weeks, 1975 * Redeye Gunner School, 2 weeks, 1975 * Sniper Training Course, 2 week, 1976 * Dragon Weapons Crewman, 1 week, 1976 * Jungle Training Course, 3 weeks, 1976 * Indirect Fire Crewman, 2 weeks, 1977 * Air Movement Operations Course, 2 weeks, 1977 * Leadership and Management Development Course, 1 week, 1977 _____________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: 4 October 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150014654 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 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) to show completion of sniper training and sniper military occupational specialty (MOS). 2. The applicant states he completed sniper training while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. He tried to join the Army Sniper Association and was told to show the evidence of his selection and completion of this course. His DD Form 214 does not show it. He adds that current sniper school graduates and former Vietnam era sniper school graduates have applied for and have this MOS added to their DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214 * Certificate of Training * National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) 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 30 July 1974. He completed training and was awarded MOS 11B (Infantryman) and 16P (Chaparral Crewman). He also completed the Basic Airborne Course. 3. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 505th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. 4. His records contain multiple certificates of training that show completion of the following courses: * Light Weapons Infantry, 8 weeks, Fort Polk, LA, 1974 * Basic Airborne Course, 3 weeks, Fort Benning, GA, 1975 * Redeye Gunner School, 2 weeks, 1975 * XVIII Airborne Corps Sniper Training Course, 2 week, 3 May 1976 to 14 May 1976 * Dragon Weapons Crewman, 1 week, 4 October 1976 to 8 October 1976 * Jungle Training Course, 3 weeks, 1976 * Indirect Fire Crewman, 112 hours, 24 January to 11 February 1977 * Air Movement Operations Course, 2 weeks, 25 February 1977 * Leadership and Management Development Course, 1 week, 24 June 1977 5. On 30 June 1976, Headquarters, 82nd Airborne Division, published Special Orders Number 128 awarding him primary MOS 11B1PT2, wherein the "P" special qualification identifier (SQI) in the fifth digit designated his airborne qualification and the "T2" additional skill identifier (ASI) in the sixth and seventh digits designated his sniper qualification. 6. He was honorably released from active duty on 29 July 1977 and he was transferred to Washington Army National Guard (WAARNG). His DD Form 214 shows completion of 3 years of active service. It also shows in: * Item 15a (Primary Specialty Number and Title), 11B2P, Light Weapons Infantryman, 741206 * Item 17a (Secondary Specialty Number and Title), 16P2P, Chaparral Crewman, 760901 * Item 27 (Remarks), does not list any training 6. He enlisted in the WAARNG on 20 December 1977. He was honorably separated from the WAARNG on 5 February 1979. He was issued an NGB Form 22 that captured this period of ARNG service. 7. He enlisted in the Oregon ARNG (ORARNG) on 22 April 1987 and he was honorably separated from the ORARNG on 20 January 1989. He was issued an NGB Form 22 that captured this period of ARNG service. REFERENCES: Army Regulation (AR) 635-5 (Separation Documents) at that time established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. Chapter 2 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214. a. The version of AR 635-5 in effect at the time of his separation was dated 20 August 1973. The DD Form 214 did not have a separate block to list military training courses. However, item 27 (Remarks) was used for entries authorized by the Department of the Army for which a separate item was not available on the DD Form 214 and for entries too long for their respective blocks. It required a listing of formal in-service training courses successfully completed during the period of service such as medical, dental, electronics, supply, administration, personnel, or heavy equipment operations. This information is to assist in employment placement and job counseling, so training courses for combat skills will not be listed. Item 15a listed the primary specialty number and title and item 17a listed the secondary specialty number and title. b. The version of AR 635-5 shortly after the applicant's separation was dated 15 August 1979. The DD Form 214 was redesigned, renamed as Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and renumbered. Item 14 (Military Education) of the new DD Form 214 required an entry for in–service training courses; title, number of weeks year successfully completed during this period of service; e.g., medical, dental, electronics, supply, administration, personnel, or heavy equipment operations. This information is to assist the member after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills will not be listed. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant completed several training courses of at least one-week duration during his active duty service from 30 July 1975 to 29 July 1977. One of these courses was the 2-week XVIII Airborne Corps Sniper Training Course, completed from 3 May to 14 May 1976 at Fort Bragg, NC. 2. The regulation in effect at the time required an entry for formal in-service training courses successfully completed during the period of service such as medical, dental, electronics, supply, administration, personnel, or heavy equipment operations. This information was used to assist in employment placement and job counseling. Training courses for combat skills were not listed. 3. It is clear that most if not all of the applicant's training courses were for combat skills. However, these skills could then, and may now, be used to assist the veteran in employment placement and job counseling. For example, airborne training is a combat skill. But, a veteran may use the entry to seek equivalent civilian employment as a parachute instructor. 4. As such, from an equity standpoint, there is no harm if item 27 of the applicant's DD Form 214 listed all his training courses. 5. There is no separate MOS for a sniper. There is, however, an ASI called "T2" that designates a Soldier's qualification as a sniper. The applicant was awarded MOS 11B2PT2 and this MOS should be listed in item 15a of 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) AR20150014654 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150014654 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2