BOARD DATE: 2 May 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160011408 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x_____ ___x_____ _____x___ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 2 May 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160011408 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 adding the entry "48B FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICER -- 15 YRS – 6 MOS" to item 11 of 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: 2 May 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160011408 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: a. award of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and b. area of concentration (AOC) 48B (Foreign Affairs Officer). 2. The applicant states it was an oversight at the time of his separation. AOC 48B was the specialty of assignment from his tour at the Pentagon/Defense Security Assistance Agency and his last tour in Panama. 3. The applicant provides: * letter from U.S. Army Military Personnel Center, Alexandria, Virginia, dated 7 November 1979 * memorandum, dated 1 November 1991 * memorandum 91-350, dated 26 December 1991 * Joint Meritorious Unit Award citation * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), dated 8 November 2011 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 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army of the United States on 22 January 1975. 3. Item 6 (Military Occupational Specialties) of his DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows he was awarded AOC 48B effective 31 August 1979. 4. He provided a letter from the Chief, Professional Development Branch, Combat Service Support Division, U.S. Army Military Personnel Center, dated 7 November 1979, stating his request for a specialty designation was approved and his specialties were: * 42 (Personnel Administration and Administrative Management) * 48 (Foreign Affairs Officer) 5. On 28 February 1995, he retired in the rank of lieutenant colonel. 6. His DD Form 214 shows in: * item 11 – he held AOC 42B for 20 years and 1 month * item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), among other awards, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award 7. A DD Form 215, dated 8 November 2011, amended his DD Form 214 by deleting the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and adding the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. 8. Since his DD Form 214 was amended to show award of the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, this portion of his request will not be discussed further in these proceedings. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for preparation of the DD Form 214. The instructions for item 11 stated to enter the primary AOC, and all additional AOCs served (clarified by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to mean held) for a period of 1 year or more, during the Soldier's continuous active military service. For each AOC, list the title with the years and months served. For commissioned officer, enter the primary AOC consisting of two numerical digits and one letter (e.g., 31A). For time determination, 16 days or more count as a month. DISCUSSION: The evidence indicates the applicant held AOC 48B from August 1979 until he retired in February 1995. Item 11 of his DD Form 214 does not show he held AOC 48B for 15 years and 6 months. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160011408 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160011408 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2