ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  2 April 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170005879


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) by adding the Army Achievement Medal (AAM) and National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).  

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) (2) 
* DA Form 638-1 (Recommendation for Award)
* AAM Certificate 
* Memorandum, subject:  Verification of eligibility for the Award of the NDSM

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 served in the Regular Army from 19 January 1984 to 24 March 1987.  Following her Regular Army service, she served in the U.S. Army Reserve.  She was issued one DD Form 214 covering her period of Regular Army service.  

3.  While serving in the U.S. Army Reserve:

* she was awarded the AAM for achievement during the period 27 July 1991 to 2 August 1991
* on 15 September 1991, she was identified as being eligible for the NDSM

4.  The DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement or discharge.  The regulation governing preparation of the DD Form 214 does not provide for amending a DD Form 214 to show awards received after the date of separation recorded on the DD Form 214.  

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was warranted.  Based upon the documentary evidence received as part of the application submitted by the applicant, the Board determined that adding the Army Achievement Medal (AAM) and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) to the applicant’s DD214 was warranted.

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 Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending her DD Form 214 by adding the Army Achievement Medal (AAM) and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).
	 
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) prescribes the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  It establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  The regulation does not provide for amending a DD Form 214 to show awards received after the date of separation recorded on the DD Form 214.  


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170005879
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