ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  20 August 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170016759


APPLICANT REQUESTS: item 16 (High School Graduate or Equivalent) of his 
 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) corrected to reflect that he possesses a General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* Completion of Education Requirements Form

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, he took GED classes at Ray Barracks/Friedberg and completed it on 7 April 1982.

3.  The applicant provides, a Completion of Education Requirements Form, dated 
7 April 1982, which states that the applicant completed the requirements for the GED Certificate in April 1982, while assigned to Company B, 1/32nd Armor Battalion at Ray Barracks/Friedberg, Germany.

4.  A review of his service records shows:

	a.  He enlisted on 17 February 1981, in the Regular Army (RA).  He served in Germany from 15 June 1981 to 3 May 1982.

	b.  On 5 May 1982, the applicant was discharged from active duty under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 9 with an honorable characterization of service.  He completed 1 year, 2 months and 19 days of active duty service.  His DD Form 214 shows in item 16 (High School Graduate or Equivalent), No.
	c.  His DA Form 2-1 (Enlisted Personnel Qualification), reflects that his highest level of education was 11 years.

5.  By regulation, AR 635-5, item 16 (High School Graduate or Equivalent), is self-explanatory.  It also states to indicate with an “X” in the appropriate box.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was warranted.  Based upon evidence provided by the applicant showing he received his GED in April 1982 and his DD Form 214 covers that period of time, the Board concluded there was sufficient evidence to change the educational level annotated in Block 16 (High School Graduate or Equivalent) of the applicant’s                     DD Form 214.

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 changing Block 16 (HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR EQUIVALENT) to reflect “YES”.
	


___________X_________

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 (AR) 635-5 (Personnel Separations - Separation Documents), prescribes the separation documents which are prepared for individuals upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing DD Form 214.  Item 16 (High School Graduate or Equivalent), is self-explanatory.  It also states to indicate with an “X” in the appropriate box.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170016759


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