ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  29 July 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170002760


APPLICANT REQUESTS: award of the Sapper Tab.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Records)
*	Certificate of Attendance from Sapper Training Detachment, Fort Leonard Wood, 
Missouri, dated 30 September 2005 

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the 3 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 is currently a member of the Army National Guard of the United 
States (ARNGUS) serving in the rank and grade of master sergeant/E-8.  A review of 
his 2012 Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) shows he was not awarded the Sapper Tab and 
he did not complete Sapper Tab training for it is not shown in Section VI (Military 
Education) of his ERB.  

3.  There are no Sapper Tab orders filed in his electronic military personnel record.

4.  He submitted a Certificate of Attendance from the Sapper Training Detachment at 
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, showing he attended the Sapper course of instruction 
from 2 September to 30 September 2005.

5.  In the processing of this application, the staff of the Board contacted the Sapper 
Training Detachment on 16 May 2019 seeking an advisory opinion or a copy of the 
applicant’s Sapper Tab orders.  On 20 May 2019, the detachment commander 
responded to the request for information.  He stated that after reviewing both digital and 
hard copy class rosters, graduation orders and Army Training Requirements and 
Resources System he determined the applicant did not meet all the requirements of the 
Army Sapper Leader Course.  The reason attributed to his academic failure was 
unsatisfactory performance in graded leadership position(s) during the patrolling phase 
of the course.  Based on his academic failure, the applicant is not authorized to wear 
the Sapper Tab in accordance with Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), 
paragraph 8-42. 

6.  On 28 May 2019, the applicant was sent a copy of the advisory opinion to allow him 
an opportunity to respond.  He did not provide rebuttal comments or new evidence to 
support his application. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents, 
evidence in the record and an advisory opinion.  The Board considered the applicant’s 
statement, his attendance at training and the absence of award of the Sapper Tab in his 
records.  The Board considered the advisory opinion that stated the applicant did not 
meet the requirements for the Sapper Tab based on the academic failure of a phase 
during the course.  The applicant provided no additional evidence in response to the 
advisory.  Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the 
absence of a Sapper Tab in the applicant’s records was not in error or unjust.

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

:XXX	:XXX	:XXX	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 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes policy, criteria, and 
administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. 

     a.  The Sapper Tab was established on 28 June 2004 by the Chief of Staff of the 
Army.  The basic eligibility criteria are successful completion of all graduation 
requirements and a graduation certificate from a Sapper Leader Course conducted by 
the U.S. Army Engineer School.  The Sapper Tab may be awarded retroactively to any 
person who successfully completed all graduation requirements and received a 
graduation certificate from the Sapper Leaders Course on or after 14 June 1985.  The 
award authority to award retroactive awards is the Commandant, U.S. Army Engineer 
School (or designated representative).

     b.  Awards made by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of 
the Army are announced in Department of the Army General Orders.  Decoration 
awards and the Army Good Conduct Medal will be announced in permanent orders by 
the appropriate awards approval authority.  Service medals and ribbons are 
administratively awarded to individuals who meet the qualifying criteria. 



ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170002760

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