ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 October 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170000142 APPLICANT REQUESTS: * Update his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), for the period ending 10 May 2012, by adding his 27 June 2008 airborne course completion * Correction of his middle initial on his airborne course diploma to “K” APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Airborne course diploma 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 (ABCMR) 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, he graduated from jump school and requests this correction on his record of discharge. He would like to have his family know what he did while serving in the Army. He also would like his middle initial corrected to “K” on his airborne course diploma. 3. The applicant provides his 27 June 2008 airborne course diploma that shows he successfully completed the course at Fort Benning, GA. The diploma shows his middle initial as “R” instead of “K”. 4. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 29 January 2008. b. DD Form 4 (Enlistment / Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United States) shows in block 1 (Name (Last, First, Middle)) as Xxxx, X___, Xxxx. c. Permanent Orders 171-3031, dated 19 June 2008, published by Headquarters, U.S. Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, GA, shows he was awarded the parachutist badge for successful completion of airborne training. The order shows his name as Xxxx, Xxxx Xxxx. d. Permanent Orders 052-006, dated 21 February 2011, awarded him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period from 29 January 2008 to 28 January 2011, shows his name as Xxxx, Xxxx, X. e. Permanent Orders 11-169-002, dated 18 June 2011, awarding him the Army Commendation Medal for the period from 29 January 2011 to 15 January 2012, shows his name as Xxxx X. Xxxx. f. His DD Form 214 for the period ending 10 May 2012, shows he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement), Fort Knox, KY. The form does not show that he completed the Airborne Course nor that he was awarded the Parachutist Badge. It shows in: * Block 1 (Name (Last, First, Middle)) as Xxxx, Xxxx, Xxxx * Block 12c (Net Active Service this Period) 4 years, 3 months, and 12 days 5. Army Regulation (AR) 15-185 (ABCMR) the ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity, which is that what the Army did was correct. 6. By regulation, AR 635-5 (Separation Documents) The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The information entered thereon reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered. Evidence or record shows orders were published awarding him the Parachutist Badge based upon successfully completing the Airborne Course; however, his DD Form 214 is absent that information. In addition, the Board agreed he was provided an incorrect middle initial on his Airborne Course Diploma. The Board wanted to make a note that special qualification identifier (SQI) “P,” which is normally given to members after completing the Airborne Course is not reflected on his MOS within the DD Form 214. There is no evidence he was assigned to an airborne unit. He authenticated the DD Form 214 with his digital signature minus all airborne related information. The Board did not have SQI revocation orders nor any other information available to make a determination on whether or not he maintained the SQI “P” during his period of service; therefore, recommends updating the record as result of the evidence of record. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 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 amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 10 May 2012 by: a. block 11 – showing his primary specialty as “11B1P” b. block 13 – add the Parachutist Badge c. block 14 – add Basic Airborne Course, 3 Weeks, 2008; and d. reissuing an Airborne Course Diploma showing the same middle initial listed on his Parachutist Badge permanent orders 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. 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 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. AR 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents) – the DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The information entered thereon reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. The regulation established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214, and chapter 2 contains guidance for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states for: a. Item 1 (Name), compare with the original enlistment contract, appointment order, enlisted record brief and review the official record for possible name changes. If a name change has occurred, list other names of record in block 18 (Remarks). b. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges Citations and Campaign Ribbons) – list all awards and decorations from the Soldier's records. c. item 14 (Military Education) – list formal in-service (full time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 of at least 1 week or 40 hours duration. As an exception, list Command and General Staff College and Senior Service Colleges completed by correspondence courses. Do not list training courses for combat skills. When in doubt, refer to the American Council of Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services for commonly accepted course titles to determine its usefulness to the Soldier after transitioning from the Army. d. Item 18 (Remarks) – is used for entries required by Headquarters Department of the Army for which a separate item is not available on the form, and for completing other entries that are too long for their blocks. 3. AR 15-185 (ABCMR) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR. The ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity, which is that what the Army did was correct. The ABCMR is not an investigative body and decides cases based on the evidence that is presented in the military records provided and the independent evidence submitted with the application. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. NOTHING FOLLOWS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170000142 3 1