ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 8 July 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170002081 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show: a. item 11 (Primary Specialty Number, Title and years and months in Specialty) to add “61B (Water Craft Operator)”. b. item 12a (Date entered active duty this period) to show date entered the delayed entry program (DEP) 76 11 10" instead of "77 6 21." c. item 14 (Military Education) to add “completion of Basic Combat Training (BCT)” and “Unit Level Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Officer/Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Defense Course.” d. add all duty stations or bases he was assigned/stationed to. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * Self-authored statement * Certificate of Enlistment into the Delayed Entry Program * Certificate of Recognition for Beginners Typing * Primary Leadership Course Certificate of completion * Certificate of Retirement * Certificate of Training for Unit Level NBC Officer/NCO Defense Course 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 he joined the United States Army as a high school senior through the delayed entry program on 21 November 1977. His active duty started on 21 June 1978 at Fort Dix, NJ for basic training. His Advanced Initial Training (AIT) was completed at Fort Eustis, Virginia, as a 61B (Water Craft Equipment Operator). His first duty station was also at Fort Eustis, VA for 18 months. He was then stationed in Hawaii for 17 months as a 61B. He reclassed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma to a 62H (Concrete and Asphalt Equipment Operator). His records doesn’t reflect basic training or any of his duty stations or bases. He is trying to attend college and most of the missing information is required in order to take classes. 3. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 21 June 1977 for a period of 3 years, according to his DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States) b. He graduated from 61B Advanced Individual Training on/about 26 August 1977. He was listed as a 61B10 from 26 August 1977 until on or about 19 July 1981. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows the applicant as a 62H10 until on or about 20 July 1981. c. d. He was honorably discharged on 26 March 1980 for the purpose of immediate reenlistment. d. The applicant was honorably retired on 1 July 1982. His DD Form 214 shows the following entries in: * Item 11 (Primary Specialty Number, Title and years and months in Specialty), 62H20- Concrete and Asphalt Equipment (11 months) * item 12a, the entry "77 06 21;” * item 12b (Separation Date This Period), the entry "82 07 01;" * item 12c (Net Active Service This Period), the entry "05 00 11" representing 5 years, and 11 days * item 12e (Total Prior Inactive Service), the entry "00 07 11" representing 7 months and, 11 day of prior inactive service * item 14 (Military Education) Water Craft Operator Course – 4 weeks (1977); Primary Leadership Course – 3 weeks (1979); Typing – 1 week (1981) 4. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), dated 16 March 1982, states the following: a. Item 12a, to enter the beginning date of the enlistment period or tour of active duty for which a DD Form 214 was not issued in item 12a. b. Item 11, (Primary Specialty Number Title and years and months in specialty) enter the primary MOS or AOC, and all additional MOS/AOC served for a period of one year or more, during Soldier’s continuous active military service. c. item 14 (Military Education) List in–service training courses; title, number of weeks year successfully completed during this period of service; e.g., medical, dental, electronics, supply, administration, personnel, or heavy equipment operations. This information is to assist the member after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills will not be listed. 5. 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. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that partial relief was warranted. Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board concluded that a correction to the applicant’s DD Form 214 was warranted by adding to Box 11 the military occupation specialty of 61B, Landing Craft Crewman and annotating he held that MOS for 3 years, 2 months. However, the other remaining requested relief was not warranted correction because the data on the DD Form 214 either already depicts that information through other means or the data requested is not proper for annotation on the DD Form 214. 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 relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 by adding to Box 11, “61B - Landing Craft Crewman, 3 years, 2 months” 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 upgrading the characterization of his discharge under other than honorable conditions. 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 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 (Separation Documents), dated 23 January 1967, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. This version directed that the purpose of the separation document was to provide the separating service member with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It noted a DD Form 214 would be issued to enlisted personnel at the time of change of status or extension of active duty. Section III contained guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214. a. Item 12a enter the beginning date of the enlistment period or tour of active duty for which a DD Form 214 was not issued. b. Item 12d enter the total amount of prior active military service less lost time. 3. Effective 1 October 1979, military personnel who were discharged for the purpose of immediate reenlistment were no longer issued a separate DD Form 214. 4. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), dated 2 October 1989, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170002081 4 1