ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 31 May 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170006831 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) as follows: * block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) add Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) (2nd Award) * block 11 (Military Education), add Air Assault Course and Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DA Form 1059 (Service School Academic Evaluation Report), PLDC * Air Assault School Certificate * ARCOM DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) and Certificate 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 that there was a lack in transfer of his information and attention to detail during his expiration of term of service. 3. The applicant provides: * Air Assault School Certificate dated 14 June 1996 * DA Form 1059 for PLDC dated 7 August 1996 * DA Form 638 for recommendation of an ARCOM signed by the team leader on 31 July 1996, company commander on unknown date, and Colonel (COL) MEC on 19 August 1996 * ARCOM Certificate shows permanent order 105-41, dated 17 April 1998 4. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 June 1993. b. His team leader, Sergeant SB recommended him for award of the ARCOM for service from 3 November 1995 to 31 October 1996 due to a permanent change of station. COL MEC (brigade level commander) signed and approved the DA Form 638 on 19 August 1996. The DA Form 638 is void of a permanent order number. c. He completed the Primary Leadership Development Course (4 weeks) from 8 July to 7 August 1996 and the Air Assault Course (2 weeks) on 14 June 1996. He was also awarded the Air Assault Badge by Permanent Orders 166-88, issued by Headquarters, Fort Belvoir, VA on 14 June 1996. d. He was honorably released from active duty on 20 March 1998. He completed 4 years, 8 months and 29 days of active service. e. His DD Form 214 shows in item 13: * Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Small Bore Bar * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Small Bore Bar * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar f. His DD Form 214 shows in item 14, the Unit Armorer Course, the Mountaineering/Repelling Course, and the Law Enforcement Course. 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. Chapter 2 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214. * For item 13, list awards and decorations for all periods of service * For item 14, list in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was warranted. Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board concluded that there was sufficient evidence to fully grant the all requested relief. 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 the applicant’s DD Form 214 by: * adding the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award) in Item 13 * adding the Air Assault Badge in Item 13 * adding the Air Assault Course, 2 weeks, 1996, and the Primary Leadership Development Course, 4 weeks, 1996 in Item 14 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 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, prescribes the policies and procedures for military awards and decorations. Paragraph 3-16b, the ARCOM is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. Award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, after 1 June 1962, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed policies and procedures regarding separation documents. The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The DD Form 214 is not intended to have any legal effect on termination of a Soldier's service. Table 2-8 contained specific instructions for each item of the DD Form 214. a. Item 13, list awards from all periods of service. b. Item 14, list in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed; e. g., medical, dental, electronics, supply, administrative, personnel or heavy equipment. This information is to assist the Soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills will not be listed. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170006831 3 1