IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  25 February 2016

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20160000373 


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 removal of Headquarters, Train Advise Assist Command-East, Permanent Orders 329-042, dated 25 November 2014, for award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) from his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).

2.  The applicant states:

	a.  His Afghanistan end-of-tour award was upgraded from an ARCOM to the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

	b.  The ARCOM was accidentally uploaded into the interactive Personnel Electronic Records Management System (iPERMS).

	c.  The ARCOM is not valid.

	d.  He is requesting removal of the ARCOM from his OMPF to validate his board file for the upcoming master sergeant promotion board.

3.  The applicant provides:

* BSM Certificate
* ARCOM Certificate
* memorandum from his commander, dated 9 January 2015

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the rank of sergeant first class.

2.  Headquarters, Train Advise Assist Command-East, Permanent Orders 
329-042, dated 25 November 2014, awarded him the ARCOM for outstanding service during Operation Enduring Freedom for the period 30 June 2014 to 15 February 2015.  These orders have not been revoked.

3.  He provided a memorandum from his commander to the Commander, Train Advise Assist Command-East, dated 9 January 2015, which states:

	a.  The purpose of the memorandum is to request an upgrade of the applicant's end-of-tour ARCOM to a BSM.

	b.  He performed magnificently in support of Task Force Tiger, the regiment, and Train Advise Assist Command-East during Operations Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support.  He exceeded expectations given his rank and the scope of his duty.

	c.  The command previously submitted his award and recommended an upgrade from an ARCOM to the BSM.  Originally, he recommended an upgrade in lieu of resubmission as a BSM so the applicant would see the squadron leadership's view of his performance.

	d.  If approved, Tiger Squadron would rescind the ARCOM in accordance with current policies and procedures.

4.  Headquarters, Train Advise Assist Command-East, Permanent Orders 
016-024, dated 16 January 2015, awarded him the BSM for exceptionally meritorious in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support in Afghanistan from 1 July 2014 to 15 February 2015.

5.  A review of the performance folder of his OMPF in iPERMS revealed copies of the ARCOM and BSM orders.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states when an upgrade of a previously-approved lesser award is approved, action is taken by the awarding authority or the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to revoke the lesser-awarded decoration.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-104 (Army Military Human Resource Records Management) provides policies, operating tasks, and steps governing the OMPF. 
Table 2-1 shows award orders are filed in the performance folder of the OMPF.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms:

	a.  In November 2014, the applicant was awarded the ARCOM for outstanding service during Operation Enduring Freedom for the period 30 June 2014 to 15 February 2015.

	b.  On 9 January 2015, his commanding officer requested an upgrade of the applicant's end-of-tour ARCOM to the BSM.

	c.  On 16 January 2015, he was awarded the BSM for exceptionally meritorious service in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Resolute Support in Afghanistan from 1 July 2014 to 15 February 2015.

2.  The regulatory guidance states to revoke the lesser-awarded decoration when an upgrade of a previously-approved lesser award is approved.

3.  Regulatory guidance also states to file award orders in the performance folder of the OMPF.  However, there is a viable reason for revoking and removing Headquarters, Train Advise Assist Command-East, Permanent Orders 329-042, dated 25 November 2014, from the applicant's OMPF.  The ARCOM orders offer no relevant information regarding the applicant's service, conduct, or duty performance.  Moreover, revoking and removing these orders eliminates the potential for confusion by officials authorized to review his OMPF.

BOARD VOTE:

____X____  ___X_____  ___X_____  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION


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:

	a.  revoking Headquarters, Train Advise Assist Command-East, Permanent Orders 329-042, dated 25 November 2014;

	b.  removing Headquarters, Train Advise Assist Command-East, Permanent Orders 329-042, dated 25 November 2014, from his OMPF; and

	c.  ensuring the revocation orders are not filed in his OMPF.



      _____________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.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20160000373



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20160000373



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