ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS BOARD DATE: 8 January 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170009776 APPLICANT REQUEST: Award of the Iraq Campaign Medal in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. APPLICANT's SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code, 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 wishes to rescind the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and have the Iraq Campaign Medal awarded. He wants a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) issued to show this change in his authorized medals. He was unaware of the creation and authorization to have the Iraq Campaign Medal issued to him. 3. The applicant's records show: a. He enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard (WIARNG) on 2 October 2001. He extended on 11 August 2022. b. He was mobilized and entered active duty in support of Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom on 15 March 2003. He served in Iraq from 14 May 2003 to 26 March 2004 (10 months and 13 days). c. He was honorably released from active duty on 24 April 2004. He completed 1 year, 1 month, and 5 days of active service. He was awarded or authorized the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device, and Army Service Ribbon. d. By regulation, upon application, any service member may be awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal (with the appropriate campaign stars) in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for such service. No service member will be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement, or period of service. e. All Soldiers on active duty, including Reserve Component Soldiers mobilized or ARNG Soldiers activated, on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined having served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days are authorized the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. f. Soldiers who serve a minimum of 11 cumulative months or 9 continuous months in Iraq in a temporary change of station/tour of duty status get credit for a complete short tour and are authorized the Overseas Service Ribbon. g. ARNG Soldiers mobilized onto active duty under Title 10 are performing “active Federal military service” and are eligible to be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal. The qualifying periods of service must be continuous enlisted active Federal service of at least 1 year duration with no derogatory information or disqualification memorandum. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the applicant and all supporting evidence, the Board determined that relief was warranted. Based upon his service in Iraq from 14 may 2003 to 26 March 2004, and the regulatory guidance relating to the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Board found that the applicant is eligible for ICM. BOARD VOTE: Member 1 Member 2 Member 3 X X X Full Grant : : : Partial Grant : : : Formal Hearing Grant : : : Deny ? 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 the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal for service during the period 15 March 2003 through 24 April 2004 * deleting from item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and adding the: * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) * Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars * Global War on Terrorism Service Medal * Overseas Service Ribbon 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, U.S. Code, 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 (AR) 635-5 (Separation Documents), then in effect, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for preparation of the DD Form 214. 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. 3. AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states: a. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have participated in Global War on Terrorism operations outside of the areas of eligibility (AOE) designated for award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or Iraq Campaign Medal. All Soldiers on active duty, including Reserve Component Soldiers mobilized or National Guard Soldiers activated, on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined having served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days are authorized the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. b. The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who deployed abroad for service in Global War on Terrorism operations on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined. The general area of eligibility (AOE) encompasses all foreign land, water, and air spaces outside the fifty states of the United States and outside 200 nautical miles of the shores of the United States in operations approved by the Secretary of Defense. Service members must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in designated operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in the AOE, or meet other criteria. c. The Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of OIF. The AOE encompasses all the land area of the country of Iraq, the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. The Iraq Campaign Medal period of eligibility is on or after 19 March 2003 through 31 December 2011. A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign. Approved campaigns include Liberation of Iraq (19 March 2003- 1 May 2003) and Transition of Iraq (2 May 2003-28 June 2004). d. Under no condition will personnel or units receive the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the same action, time period, or service. Service members qualified for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal by reason of service between 24 October 2001 and 28 February 2005, in an area for which the Iraq Campaign Medal was subsequently authorized, will remain qualified for that medal. Upon application, any such service member may be awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for such service. No service member will be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement, or period of service. e. The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of active Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. f. The Overseas Service Ribbon is authorized to all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status for successful completion of overseas tours. Table 3-2 of AR 614-30 (Overseas Service) identifies tour lengths. 4. By message dated 8 February 2005, the Military Awards Branch, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, provided clarification on award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. It stated Reserve Component (RC) Soldiers mobilized onto active duty under Title 10 are performing “active Federal military service” and are therefore eligible to be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal. The qualifying periods of service must be continuous enlisted active Federal service. The period of service for the Army Good Conduct Medal begins and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal ends the first day the mobilized RC Soldier is serving on active duty. The period of service for the Army Good Conduct Medal ends the last day the mobilized RC Soldier is on active duty. The period of service for the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal begins the day after the RC Soldier is off active duty. (Therefore, the RC Soldier's qualifying period of service for the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal begins over from day one once the Soldier is off active duty. Any time prior to mobilization is lost and cannot count towards award of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal). 5. A Frequently Asked Questions Document from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, dated 22 January 2006, contains examples to show Soldiers' eligibility for awards while deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. The document states: Question: How long do I have to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan to be awarded the Overseas Service Ribbon? Answer: Overseas tour credit is outlined in AR 614-30 (Overseas Service). Provided is a clarification statement the proponent to AR 614-30 has provided our office: Soldiers who serve a minimum of 11 cumulative months or 9 continuous months in Iraq in a temporary change of station/tour of duty status get credit for a complete short tour. The reference is AR 614-30, table 3-2, rules 5 and 7. Iraq and Afghanistan are considered isolated areas where tour lengths have not been established by DOD; therefore, the Army gives equivalent credit for periods of change of station/tour of duty. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170009776 2