ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 22 May 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170017267 APPLICANT REQUESTS: His DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), block 16 (High School Graduate or Equivalent) be changed from no to yes. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) 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 received his General Education Development (GED) in 1980 while station at Fort Carson, CO. He said it was indicated on his separation papers. However, his current DD Form 214 he requested does not have it annotated. 3. A review of the applicant’s service records shows the following: a. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 4 December 1979. b. The applicant’s DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) in block 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools) shows “no” for completion of education. c. The applicant did not provide evidence of completion of GED. A thorough review of his records does not reflect documentation of completion for a GED. d. He was honorably released from active duty on 1 October 1980 under the Expeditious Discharge Program (Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 (Personnel Separations –Enlisted Personnel), paragraph 5-31. e. His DD Form 214 shows that he completed 9 months, and 28 days of active service. Block 16 is marked with an X in the "No" block indicating he was not a high school graduate or equivalent, at the time of his separation. 4. Army Regulation 635-5 (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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). Item 16 is self-explanatory. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was not warranted. Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the service record, the Board concluded there was no evidence to show that the applicant completed his GED; therefore, the Board found no evidence of error or injustice which would warrant changing the record. 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 635-5 (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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). Item 16 is self-explanatory. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170017267 2 1