ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  21 August 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170012223


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  the Global War on Terrorism Expedition Medal (GWOTEM) be added to her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* DD Form 214

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 she was not awarded the GWOTEM.  She served as the non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) of the casualty assistance program for the 1st Infantry Battalion.  She served 60 days in Iraq while performing killed in action and burial ceremonies for the 187th, 1st Infantry Division (ID) from 2004 to 2005.

3.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

	a.  She enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 March 2001.

	b.  Her record is void of her deploying to Iraq.

	c.  Her DA Form 2166-8 (NCO Evaluation Report) ending in December 2004 and May 2005 shows that she served as the 1st ID rear detachment chaplain assistant NCO during Iraqi Freedom 2.

	d.  On 15 May 2005, she was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) under the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 635-200, chapter 4, completion of required active service, with an honorable characterized service.  Her DD Form 214 shows she was awarded or authorized: 
* Army Commendation Medal
* Army Achievement Medal
* Army Good Conduct Medal
* National Defense Service Medal
* Army Lapel Button
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 
* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon
* Driver and Mechanic Badge

4.  AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), states the GWOTEM is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the U.S who deployed abroad for service in Global War on Terrorism operations on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was not warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  Her record is void of evidence that shows she deployed to a location in which regulatory guidance authorized the GWOTEM.  The Board agreed there was no error or injustice in this case.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

X	X	X	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.



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 Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.

	a.  It states the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) 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.  Under no conditions will units or personnel within the United States or the general region excluded above be deemed eligible for the GWOTEM. 

	b.  It further states 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 one of the following criteria:  (1) be engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, regardless of time in the AOE; (2) is killed, wounded, or injured requiring medical evacuation from the AOE while participating in the designated operation, regardless of time, or (3) service members participating as a regularly assigned air crew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the AOE in direct support of Operations Enduring Freedom and/or Iraqi Freedom to qualify for award of the GWOTEM.  The GWOTEM may be awarded posthumously.  Only one award of the GWOTEM may be authorized to any individual; therefore, second or subsequent awards will not be awarded. 

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20170012223


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