ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 November 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170001545 APPLICANT REQUESTS: To retire at the rank of sergeant first class (SFC) and to add Purple Heart to permanent record. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 293 (Application for Discharge Review) * Memorandum Subject: Memorandum of Instruction (MOI) for the Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) AC Sergeant First Class (SFC) Promotion Selection Board and Staff Sergeant (SSG) Qualitative Service Program (QSP) Boards * Memorandum Subject: Field After Action Report- FY14 SFC Promotion Selection Board and SSG QSP Boards * Memorandum Subject: FY14 Active Component Promotion Selection List to SFC * FY14 Sergeant First Class Considered/ Selected List excerpt FACTS: 1. The applicant did not make a statement. 2. The applicant provides: * Memorandum Subject: Memorandum of Instruction (MOI) for the FY14 AC SFC Promotion Selection Board and SSG QSP Boards, dated 27 January 2014 provides guidance for the board president and member of the board considering promotion to SFC * Memorandum Subject: Field After Action Report- FY14 SFC Promotion Selection Board and SSG QSP Boards, dated 25 February 2014 lists issues, discussion and recommendations found during the SFC promotion board * Memorandum Subject: FY14 Active Component Promotion Selection List to SFC from the US Army Human Resources Command (HRC), dated 10 April 2014 which states: o Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) selection board convened on 4 February 2014 and recessed on 7 March 2014 to consider eligible Soldiers for promotion to SFC o The recommendations were approved by the Director of Military Personnel Management on 12 March 2014 o Soldiers should also be informed that because selectees are sequenced and promoted within a specific MOS, promotions will occur as vacancies exist and budgetary constraints allow o Soldiers listed herein should not assume that the structure of the list or the presence of a name on the list, constitutes a firm forecast for promotion o Promotions are announced by the United States AHRC on a monthly basis o This selection list must be reviewed immediately and on a continuing basis until it is exhausted o The above action is needed to preclude the promotion of Soldiers who are ineligible or are in a non-promotable status * FY14 SFC Considered/ Selected List excerpt shows the applicant’ was considered but not selected (no sequence number next to his name) 3. With respect to award of the Purple Heart, Army Regulation 15-185 (ABCMR), the regulation under which this Board operates, states that the Board will not consider any application if it determines that you have not exhausted all administrative remedies available to you. There is no evidence that the applicant has submitted his request for award of the Purple Heart with supporting documentation, and were denied relief. As a result this portion of his request will not be discussed further in this Record of Proceedings. 4. A review of the applicant’s service records shows the following: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 March 2004. b. He served through a reenlistment, in a variety of assignments, including multiple tours in Iraq. He attained the rank/grade of SSG/E-6 on 1 December 2008. c. His enlisted record brief does not show a sequence number is part I (Assignment Information). d. He was honorably retired in the rank of SSG on 14 April 2014 for temporary disability. 5. By regulation, Army Regulation 600-8-19 (Enlisted Promotions and Reductions), states the selection and promotion process for senior enlisted grades (SFC through sergeant major) is centralized at Headquarters Department of the Army. All staff sergeants through MSG/first sergeants who meet the basic eligibility requirements will be considered for promotion by a centralized promotion board convened ta HQDA. Selected Soldiers are assigned sequence numbers. Sequence numbers will be based on seniority within each recommended MOS and will be determined by date of rank (DOR), then basic active service date (BASD) when DOR are the same, then age (oldest first) when DOR and BASD are the same. The needs of the Army determine what sequence numbers are promoted. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The Board considered promotion policy for Soldiers retiring for disability. The Board agreed there is insufficient evidence that shows he was selected for promotion, provided a promotion sequence number, and had his name reflected on a promotion standing list. 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. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-19 (Enlisted Promotions and Reductions), in effect at the time, prescribes policies and procedures governing promotions and reductions of Army enlisted personnel. Chapter 4 provides the rules and steps for managing the centralized promotion system to sergeant first class (SFC), master sergeant (MSG), and sergeant major (SGM). This chapter provides that: a. The selection and promotion process for senior enlisted grades (SFC through SGM) is centralized at Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA). All staff sergeants through MSG/first sergeants who meet the basic eligibility requirements will be considered for promotion. b. Selections by DA boards will be based on impartial consideration of all eligible Soldiers in the announced zone. Selection boards will recommend a specified number of best qualified Soldiers by military occupational specialty (MOS) from the zones of consideration to meet the needs of the Army. The total number selected for each career progression MOS is the projected number the Army needs to maintain its authorized-grade strength. Soldiers who are not selected for promotion will not be provided specific reasons for non-selection. c. No Soldier may appear in person before a Department of the Army selection board on his or her own behalf or in the interest of anyone being considered. Soldiers eligible for consideration may write to the president of the promotion board to provide documents and information drawing attention to any matter concerning themselves that they feel is important to their consideration. Correspondence must be received by the date stated in the zone message and will not be the basis for promotion reconsideration. HQDA announces the results of a selection board by command memorandum. d. Names of Soldiers considered for promotion will be placed in alphabetical order. Soldiers who are recommended will be assigned sequence numbers for promotion to SFC, MSG and SGM. Sequence numbers will be based on seniority within each recommended MOS and will be determined by date of rank (DOR), then basic active service date (BASD) when DOR are the same, then age (oldest first) when DOR and BASD are the same. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170001545 4 1