ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  4 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20160015274


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty) to show his:

*	service in Operation Desert Storm
*	completion of the Combat Lifesaver Course
*	completion of the Pathfinder Course

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United 
States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of 
Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 

2.  The applicant states, in effect, he believes the above information was not included 
on his DD Form 214 due to his integration into his new unit.  He claims he completed 
the Pathfinder Course in May or June 1991 and while assigned to 6th Battalion, 1st 
Field Artillery Regiment, he participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.  He further 
states he completed the Combat Lifesaver Course in 1992 while stationed in Germany.

3.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 November 1990.

4.  His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows he served in 
Germany from 23 May 1991 to 1 June 1993, with Headquarters and Headquarters 
Battery, 6th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment.  

5.  On 6 November 1994, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to 
the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement).  
6.  The applicant's available records do not contain Certificates of Training or any other 
form of evidence, which shows his completion of the Combat Lifesaver or Pathfinder 
courses.

7.  The Defense Manpower Data Center compiled the Desert Shield/Storm Data Base.  
The primary Desert Shield/Storm file contains one record for each active duty member 
who participated in-theater between 2 August 1990 and 31 July 1991.  The Desert 
Shield/Storm Data Base does not show the applicant served in Southwest Asia.

8.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) states to list formal in-service (full-
time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service 
covered by the DD Form 214.  This information is to assist the Soldier in job placement 
and counseling; therefore, do not list training courses for combat skills.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and 
evidence in the records.  The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his service 
record and units of assignment, the absence of evidence in DMDC or his personnel 
records showing that he deployed to Desert Storm and the absence of evidence in 
support of his claim that he completed Pathfinder and Combat Lifesaver Courses.  The 
applicant provided no additional evidence in support of his claims.  Based on a 
preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that there was no error or injustice in 
the applicant’s records requiring a correction.

2.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief was not warranted.


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:X	:X	:X	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or 
injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
 


	  
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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

Not Applicable



REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military 
records must be filed within three 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 three-year statute of 
limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separations Documents), then in effect, 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 the 
preparation of the DD Form 214.  It stated the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the 
Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service.  It provides a brief, clear-cut 
record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or 
discharge.  The regulation states to list formal in-service (full-time attendance) training 
courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 
214.  (As an exception to full-time attendance, list Command and General Staff College 
and Senior Service Colleges completed by correspondence courses.)  Include title, 
length in weeks, and year completed.  This information is to assist the soldier in job 
placement and counseling; therefore, do not list training courses for combat skills.

3.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) state the Southwest Asia Conflict took 
place from 2 August 1990 to 11 April 1991.  
*	the Defense of Saudi Arabia (commonly referred to as Operation Desert Shield) 
took place from 2 August 1990 to 16 January 1991
*	the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait (commonly referred to as Operation Desert 
Storm) took place from 17 January to 11 April 1991


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20160015274

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