ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 April 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170017152 APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), for the period ending 29 December 1956, to show: * he completed Basic Training, Armor Training, Ranger Training, and Sniper Training * his service time while assigned to the Federal Republic of Germany APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Self-authored letter to the National Personnel Records Center with a response letter, dated 19 October 2017 * Department of the Army, Certificate of Training, dated 18 February 1956 * Redeployment Orders 11S42, dated 13 November 1956 * DD Form 214 * Memorandum, subject: Clothing Forms, dated 26 December 1956 * DD Form 256A (Honorable Discharge) certificate, dated 31 December 1961 * Several pages of photographs 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 6 January 1954. He completed training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 130.00 (Armor Basic). 3. Section 5 (Service Outside the Continental United States) of his DA Form 24 (Service Record), covering the period 6 January 1954 to 29 December 1956, shows he served in the Federal Republic of Germany from 9 May 1955 through 22 December 1956, a period of 1 year, 7 months, and 14 days. 4. The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: a. Item 27 (Specialized Training), he completed Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 21-114 (Basic Training). b. Item 32 (Classification in Military Occupational Specialties), he completed MOS training and was awarded MOS 130.00 on 17 June 1955 (sic)[1954]. c. Item 34 (Remarks), he completed Code of Conduct on 17 May 1954. 5. The applicant was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) by reason of early separation - overseas returnee. He completed 2 years, 11 months, and 24 days of total active service. His DD Form 214 shows in: a. Item 12 (Last Duty Assignment and Major Command), the entry, "Company D, 29th Tank Battalion, APO 34 (U.S Army Europe). b. Item 24 (Foreign and/or Sea Service), the entry, "1 7 14" representing his service overseas for a period of 1 year, 7 months, and 14 days. c. Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), he was awarded the Army Occupation Medal (Germany). d. Item 28 (Service Schools or Colleges, College Training Courses and/or Post-Graduate Courses Successfully Completed), the entry "NA." e. Item 29 (Other Service Training Courses Successfully Completed), the entry "NA." 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Administrative Separation Procedures and Forms), dated 12 June 1956 stated, in item 24c (Foreign and/or Sea Service), for enlisted personnel, enter total active duty outside the continental limits of the United States for the period covered by the DD Form 214. This regulation did not contain a provision for adding the country or location in which foreign service was performed. 7. The applicant's record is void of any documentation nor does he provide any documentation that indicates he attended or completed Ranger or Sniper training. 8. The applicant provides: a. A Certificate of Training that shows he successfully completed the Regimental Tank Company Course at the Seventh Army Tank Training Center, while he was assigned to the Federal Republic of Germany on 18 February 1956. b. Redeployment Orders 11S42, dated 13 November 1956 shows he was returning back to the continental United States from the Federal Republic of Germany. c. A memorandum, dated 26 December 1956 showing he was being transferred to the USAR and a DD Form 256A showing he was honorably discharged from the USAR on 31 December 1961. d. Several pages of photographs of the applicant in uniform and military equipment. 9. Army Regulation 635-5 stated, for item 28, enter service schools, including dates and major courses which were successfully completed. Item 29 states to enter installation training courses (qualification courses), military correspondence courses, and off-duty courses the enlisted person has completed successfully completed. Since basic training taught primarily combat and military skills, it was not entered. BOARD DISCUSSION: After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined there is insufficient evidence to grant relief. The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered. His assignment in Germany was not a deployment and is not listed in the remarks section of the DD Form 214; it is appropriately accounted for in the Foreign Service section. The Board agreed there is no evidence to support adding additional military education. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): Not Applicable 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 (Administrative Separation Procedures and Forms), dated 12 June 1956, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The version of the regulation in effect then stated for: a. Item 24c (Foreign and/or Sea Service), for enlisted personnel, enter total active duty outside the continental limits of the United States for the period covered by the DD Form 214. b. Item 28 (Service Schools or Colleges, College Training Courses and/or Post-Graduate Courses Successfully Completed), enter service schools, including dates and major courses which were successfully completed. This entry also includes military-sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared. b. Item 29 (Other Service Training Courses Successfully Completed), enter installation training courses (qualification courses), military correspondence courses, and off-duty courses the enlisted person has completed successfully during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared. The purpose of the item was to assist the Soldier in obtaining civilian employment. Since basic training taught primarily combat and military skills, it was not entered. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170017152 0 4 1