ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	

	BOARD DATE:  20 August 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170005621


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the following awards:

*	Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4th Award)
*	Armed Forces Reserve Medal
*	Army Aviation Badge

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) letter
*	DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge)
*	DD Form 214

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10 (Armed 
Forces), United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b) (Correction of Military Records:  
Claims Incident Thereto).  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 the NPRC informed him he was entitled to the above-cited 
awards; he would like them added to his DD Form 214, ending 9 September 1981.  He 
provides a copy of the NPRC letter, dated 30 June 2016.

3.  The Basic Army Aviator Badge is supported by sufficient evidence; therefore, it will 
be administratively corrected and not considered by the Board.  The Board will consider 
the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4th Award) and the Armed Forces 
Reserve Medal.



4.  The applicant's service records show:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 28 October 1968; he served in Vietnam from 
28 March 1969 to 22 March 1970.  On 1 October 1971, he was honorably released from 
active duty, effective 1 October 1971; he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) 
Control Group (Reinforcement).  He was awarded or authorized:

*	Army Commendation Medal (1st Award)
*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Vietnam Service Medal
*	Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16)
*	two overseas service bars

	b.  His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) indicates he remained 
in an inactive Reserve status within the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement) from 
2 October 1971 to 3 March 1972.  On 4 March 1972, he enlisted into the USAR.  

	c.  The Soldier Management System (SMS), managed by the U.S. Army Human 
Resources Command (HRC), is a web-based application which includes personnel data 
for individual Soldiers.  SMS contains the applicant's DA Form 5016 (Chronological 
Statement of Retirement Points); this form shows he earned over 50 retirement points 
each year from 2 October 1971 through 1 October 1989.  

	d.  He was appointed as a Reserve Warrant Officer and executed his oath of office 
on 1 July 1978.  A memorandum, dated 14 September 1979, announced the award of 
the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1st Award) for the period 
28 October 1974 to 28 October 1978.

	e.  On 13 December 1980, he was ordered to active duty for training.  On 
9 September 1981, he was honorably released from active duty for training.  His 
DD Form 214 showed he was awarded or authorized:

*	Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with
Numeral 2
*	Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award)
*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1st Award)
*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar
*	Vietnam Service Medal
*	Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)

	f.  Memorandum, dated 27 December 1984, announced the award of the Armed 
Forces Reserve Medal for 10 years of continuous service, ending 3 March 1982.

	g.  Memorandum, dated 27 December 1984, announced the award of the Army 
Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd Award) for the period 29 October 
1978 to 28 October 1982.

	h.  Effective 30 November 1990, he transferred to the Retired Reserve; On 
19 September 2009, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command placed him on the 
Army of the United States Retired List.  

5.  The applicant's records show the first award of the Army Reserve Components 
Achievement Medal was for the period 28 October 1974 to 28 October 1978; his 
DD Form 214 lists this first award.  The applicant received his second award for the 
period 29 October 1978 to 28 October 1982; his Armed Forces Reserve Medal was 
awarded for the period ending 3 March 1982.  

	a.  Both the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd Award) and the 
Armed Forces Reserve Medal addressed periods subsequent to his release from active 
duty.

	b.  By regulation, the DD Form 214 lists a Soldier's service information, as of the 
date of separation; there is no provision for retroactively adding awards and decorations 
awarded after the separation date. 

	c.  Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states, between 3 March 
1972 and 28 March 1995, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal was 
awarded for 4 qualifying years of USAR Troop Program Unit (TPU) service.  

		(1)  The applicant's records are void of documentation indicating his chain of 
command disqualified him for the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal for 
the period starting 4 March 1972.  In addition, the record does not explain why 
28 October 1978 was the starting date for his first Army Reserve Components 
Achievement Medal.  

		(2)  When inconsistencies exist in a Soldier's official military personnel file, 
specifically with regard to qualifying years of USAR service for the purpose of 
recognition, HRC is the responsible agency for addressing inaccuracies and 
determining their resolution.  



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 of the applicant, the Board 
concluded that the applicant had been previously awarded the ARCAM (3rd Award) and 
the Army Aviator Badge; both of which are not currently reflected on his DD Form 214. 

However, the Board also determined that the applicant received the ARCAM (4th 
Award) and Armed Forces Reserve Medal after completing his active duty tour reflected 
on his DD Form 214.  For that reason, the Board recommended denying that portion of 
the applicant’s request.

The Board also noted the administrative notes below from the analyst of record and 
recommended those changes also be completed to more accurately reflect the military 
service of the applicant.

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 Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the 
applicant’s DD Form 214 by adding:
*	Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
*	Army Aviator Badge
2.  Additionally, the Board also noted the administrative notes below from the analyst of 
record and recommended those changes also be completed to more accurately reflect 
the military service of the applicant.
3.  Finally, 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 adding the Army Reserve Component 
Achievement Medal (4th Award) and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
	  
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):

1.  AR 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, stated the DD Form 
214 was to list all decorations, service medals, campaign credits, and badges awarded 
or authorized.

2.  AR 600-8-22 states a bronze service star will be awarded for wear on the Vietnam 
Service Medal for participation in each campaign.  Recognized campaigns for Vietnam 
include:

*	Tet 69 Counteroffensive, 1969 (23 February 1969 to 8 June 1969)
*	Vietnam Summer – Fall 1969 (9 June 1969 to 31 October 1969)
*	Vietnam Winter – Spring 1970 (1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970)

3.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation 
Credit Register) shows all units in Vietnam were awarded the Republic of Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on DAGO Number 8, dated 1974. 

4.  As a result, amend his DD Form 214, ending 1 October 1971, as follows:

	a.  delete the Vietnam Service Medal.

	b.  add:

*	Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars
*	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

5.  Amend his DD Form 214, ending 9 September 1981, as follows:

	a.  delete the Vietnam Service Medal.

	b.  add:

*	Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars
*	Basic Army Aviator Badge
*	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm



REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military 
records must be filed within 3 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 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the 
interest of justice to do so.

2.  AR 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed policies and 
procedures for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  The DD Form 214 provides 
Soldiers with a record of military service; the regulation requires it to reflect information 
that is accurate on the date of separation.

3.  AR 600-8-22 prescribes policies and procedures for military awards and decorations.

	a.  The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal is authorized for award to 
members of an Army Reserve TPU; they must be in the rank of colonel or below.  This 
award recognizes exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity for Soldiers completing 
4 years of qualifying service on or after 3 March 1972, and before 28 March 1995 (i.e. 
the Reserve Soldier had to earn a minimum of 50 retirement points during his retirement 
year).  Beginning on 28 March 1995, the period of qualifying service for award of the 
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal was reduced from 4 to 3 years.  This 
change was not retroactive.  Such years of qualifying service must have been 
consecutive.  

	b.  The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is awarded for honorable and satisfactory 
service as a member of one or more of the Reserve Components for a period of 
10 years.  USAR Soldiers are required to complete a minimum of 50 retirement points 
for each of the 10 qualifying years, and the qualifying service be completed within 
12 consecutive years.  A bronze hourglass denotes the first 10-year period; the second 
10-year period by a silver hourglass, and the third by a gold hourglass.  

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170005621

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