ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 6 May 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018297 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), item 14 (Military Education) for the period ending 2 February 2009, to show he attended and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), which was longer than one week. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States) * Memorandum For, subject: Instructions for Attending the SFQC, dated 9 March 2006 * Memorandum, subject: Special Forces Qualification (Evaluation and Selection) Phase I, (2E-F129/011-F44(1B)), Enlisted Selects, dated 11 April 2006 * 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 his DD Form 214 states he attended the SFQC for only one week. In fact, he completed the course. He is proud of his service and wants his training to be reflected on his documents. It will also help him in seeking certain types of employment to demonstrate he complete completed the course. 3. His DD Form 214, item 14 shows “SP FORCES QUAL CRSE, 1 WEEK, 2006.” He was honorably discharged on 2 February 2009. 4. The applicant provides two letters that state the following: * he successfully completed the Special Forces Assessment Course (SFAS) * he completed the SFAS course and selected to attend the SFQC 5. The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, NC, provided an email and a document that states, “the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS) print out that confirms [he] was a graduate of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection [SFAS] Course which he attended 20 Mar[ch] 2006 to 13 April 2006 (25 days). This course is initial training that is taken to see if Soldiers are selected to come and go through the actual Special Forces Qualification Course [SFQC], although he was selected, per our records he never attended the full SF qualification Course.” 6. Army Regulation 614-200 (Enlisted Assignments and Utilization Management), dated 30 September 2004, chapter 5-5(13)(b) (Special Forces assignments (policy and selection criteria)) states, Soldiers must successfully complete the SFAS course before they can attend the SFQC. Soldiers will attend the course in a temporary duty (TDY) status and return status and normally attend at any time. 7. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) provided guidance for completing item 14 (Military Education) of the DD Form 214. This regulation stated; from the ERB, list formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214. 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. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting evidence, the Board determined that there was sufficient evidence to grant partial relief. The Board determined that no documentation was provided or found within the record showing the applicant attended the Special Forces Qualification Course. However, there is sufficient evidence that the applicant attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, which was three weeks long. Therefore the DD Form 214 was in error in that it lists the SFAS as 1 week vice 3 weeks long. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF :X :X :X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION 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 amending the applicant’s DD Form 214: Enter in item 14 (Military Education) “Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course – 3 wks (APR 2006)” 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 completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course. 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 614-200, dated 30 September 2004, chapter 5-5(13)(b) (Special Forces assignments (policy and selection criteria)) states, Soldiers must successfully complete the SFAS course before they can attend the SFQC. Soldiers will attend the course in a temporary duty (TDY) status and return status and normally attend at any time. 3. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. This regulation prescribes the following for the completion of the DD Form 214; from the ERB, 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. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160018297 0 3 1