BOARD DATE: 19 September 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002625 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 BOARD DATE: 19 September 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002625 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: a.  amending item 11 of his DD Form 214 to show his primary specialty as 31V1SA4, Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic – Special Forces – International Morse Code, 2 years and 7 months; b.  adding the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) to item 13 of his DD Form 214; and c.  adding completion of the Airborne Course, 3 weeks, 1980, to item 14 of his DD Form 214. 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 award of a combat medal and adding completion of the Special Forces Qualification 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. BOARD DATE: 19 September 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002625 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 in: a.  item 11 (Primary Specialty Number, Title, Years and Months in Specialty): 05BSA (should read 05B1SA4) (Radio Operator – Special Forces – International Morse Code), 5th Special Forces Communications Specialist; b.  item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): unspecified combat service medal; and c.  item 14 (Military Education): * Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic Course, 10 weeks, 1980 * Airborne School Training, GA, 4 weeks, 1980 * Special Forces Qualification Course, 104 weeks, 1981 2. The applicant states: a.  The responsible or designated and authorized individual who presented the documentation did not give him adequate time to read the document. He was told to just sign the document and move on. b.  He is having complications with a disability claim in proving he was a highly trained combat Soldier. 3. The applicant provides: * Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic Course Diploma, dated 18 January 1980 * Airborne Course Diploma, dated 5 March 1980 * Special Forces Qualification Course Diploma, dated 29 January 1981 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 21 August 1979. He completed training and he was awarded primary military occupational specialty (MOS) 31V (Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic) on 18 January 1980. 3. He provided copies of his diplomas and certificate of completion of the following courses: * Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic Course Diploma, dated 18 January 1980 * Airborne Course Diploma, dated 5 March 1980 * Special Forces Qualification Course Diploma, dated 29 January 1981 4. Headquarters Command, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, Orders 20-27, dated 30 January 1981, show he was awarded primary MOS 31V1SA4 (Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic – Special Forces – International Morse Code) effective 2 February 1981. Special qualification identifier P (Parachutist) was withdrawn. 5. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows in: a. item 6 (Military Occupational Specialties), his primary MOS as 31V1SA4 effective 18 January 1980; b.  item 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools), completion of the 31V Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic Course, 10 weeks, 1980, and the Basic Airborne Course, 3 weeks, 1980; and c.  item 35 (Record of Assignments), he held both duty MOS 05B and 31V on 5 February 1981. 6. Headquarters Command, XVII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, Permanent Orders 89-13, dated 8 June 1982, awarded him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). 7. On 20 August 1982, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement). He completed 3 years of creditable active military service during this period. His DD Form 214 shows in: a.  item 11:  31VSA (should read 31V1SA4), Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic, 2 years, and 7 years; b.  item 12f (Foreign Service):  00  00  00; c.  item 13: * Army Service Ribbon * Parachutist Badge * Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar d.  item 14: * Tactical Communications Systems Operator/Mechanic Course, 10 weeks, January 1980 * Tractor Trailer Course, 1 week, January 1982 8. On 6 February 1985, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve. 9. His records are void of any evidence showing he served in combat or he was awarded a combat decoration. His records are also void of orders awarding him MOS 05B. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The instructions stated for: a.  item 11, enter the MOS codes, titles, years, and months for warrant officers and enlisted personnel; b.  item 12f, enter the total amount of foreign service completed during the period covered in item 12c (Net Active Service this Period); c.  item 13, self-explanatory; and d.  item 14, list 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. Permanent orders awarded him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). This medal is not listed on his DD Form 214. 2. His records show he was awarded MOS 31V1SA4 effective on or about 18 January 1980 and he served in this MOS until his date of separation on 20 August 1982, a period of 2 years and 7 months. His DD Form 214 does not list the proper MOS code, title, and time period. 3. The evidence of record shows his completion of the Tactical Communication System Operator Course is properly listed on his DD Form 214. However, his completion of the 3-week Airborne Course in 1980 is not listed on his DD Form 214. 4.  Although he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course, courses for combat skills are not listed on the DD Form 214 in accordance with the governing regulation. 5. He requested an unspecified combat decoration; however, his records are void of any evidence showing he served in combat or he was awarded a combat decoration. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160002625 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160002625 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2