ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 August 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180008466 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Reconsideration of his previous request to be promoted to the rank/grade of sergeant first class (SFC)/E-7. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Veterans Legacy Foundation web page FACTS: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20140006308 on 4 December 2014. 2. The applicant states in effect, he left Pleiku Vietnam on 25 June 1969, and left Vietnam on 27 June 1969. He served two tours in Vietnam. He has always felt he should have been promoted, but did not have any recourse until recently. 3. A review of the applicant’s service records show the following on: * 21 April 1954 – the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States and served in various overseas and stateside assignments * 25 March 1967 – Special Orders Number 67, issued by Headquarters, 2nd Support Brigade promoted the applicant to the rank/grade of staff sergeant (SSG)/E-6 * 27 November 1972 – DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), item 42 (Remarks) shows the applicant’s records were forwarded to the Department of the Army SFC consideration board * 28 December 1973 – Letter Orders Number 12-59 relieved the applicant from active duty and placed him on the Retired list in the rank of SSG effective 30 April 1974 * 30 April 1974 – the applicant was honorably released from active duty, DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) shows in item 6a (Grade, Rate or Rank) SSG, item 7 (Date of Rank) shows 25 March 1967 * the applicant’s records are void of any orders promoting him to the rank of SFC * 4 April 2014 – the applicant petitioned the Board to be promoted to SFC, on 4 December 2014, the Board denied his request 4. The applicant provides an internet page from the Veterans Legacy Foundation providing a narrative of his biography and awards and decorations. 5. Army Regulation (AR) 600-200 (Enlisted Personnel Management System) in effect at the time states promotion of enlisted personnel to grade E-3 through E-9 will be announced in routine orders. Headquarters Department of the Army is the promotion authority for grades E-7 through E-9. A centralized promotion system has been in effect for SFC since 1 June 1970. Criteria for primary and secondary zones of consideration will be announced before each board. No provisions exist whereby a Soldier may decline promotion consideration. Boards will select the best qualified in each military occupational specialty for SFC. Soldiers not selected for promotion will not be provided specific reasons for non-selection. 6. AR 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time prescribes the separation documents that will be furnished each individual who is separated from the Army. Source documents will consist of all available records to include DA Form 20. * item 6a, enter the grade at the time of separation * item 7, enter the date of rank for the grade shown in item 6a BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his service record including his service in Vietnam, his DA Form 20 that shows his records were forwarded to a centralized selection board and his retirement orders. The Board found no evidence of the applicant’s selection for or promotion to SFC and the applicant provided none. Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the rank he held when retired was not in error or unjust. The Board found the applicant to be eligible for the Korea Defense Service Medal and recommends it be added to his separation documents as an administrative correction. 2. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was not warranted. 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: With the exception of the correction stated in the Administrative Note(s) that follow, 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): Add to his DD Forms 214 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citation, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – Korea Defense Service Medal REFERENCES: 1. AR 600-200 (Enlisted Personnel Management System) in effect at the time states promotion of enlisted personnel to grade E-3 through E-9 will be announced in routine orders. Headquarters Department of the Army is the promotion authority for grades E-7 through E-9. A centralized promotion system has been in effect for SFC since 1 June 1970. Criteria for primary and secondary zones of consideration will be announced before each board. No provisions exist whereby a Soldier may decline promotion consideration. Boards will select the best qualified in each military occupational specialty for SFC. Soldiers not selected for promotion will not be provided specific reasons for non-selection. 2. AR 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time prescribes the separation documents that will be furnished each individual who is separated from the Army. Source documents will consist of all available records to include DA Form 20. * item 6a, enter the grade at the time of separation * item 7, enter the date of rank for the grade shown in item 6a ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20180008466 0 3 1