ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 14 August 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180009774 APPLICANT REQUESTS: that the following information be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty): * Assignment to the 587 Signal Battalion, Berlin Boeblingen * Army Achievement Medal (AAM) (24 December 1986) * Joint Service Medal awarded in 1985 while with 587 Signal Battalion * Professional Leadership Development Course (PLDC) (3 February 1989) * Siemens Training (10 May 1985) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Copy of Siemens Certificate (10 May 1985) * Copy of AAM (24 December 1986) * Orders 10-32 change of duty station from Germany to Fort Gordon GA * PLDC Certificate (3 February 1989) * Copy of AAM (2 February 1990) 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 that he is missing information on his DD Form 214 that should be on there. He would like to have the following information included: his assignment to 587 Signal Battalion, Berlin Boeblingen, his AAMs awarded on 24 December 1986 and 2 February 1989, Joint Service Medal, Siemens Certificate, and his PLDC certificate. 3. The applicant provides copy of his Siemens Certificate earned on 10 May 1985, copy of AAM awarded on 24 December 1986, copy of orders 10-23 showing his change of duty station to Fort Gordon GA, copy of PLDC certificate awarded on 3 February 1989, and a copy of an AAM awarded on 2 February 1990. 4. A review of the applicant’s service record show the following: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 14 March 1984. b. He served in Germany from 20 March 1985 to 28 February 1987. c. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows in block 9 (Awards) Army Service Ribbon (1st Award), Overseas Service Ribbon (1st Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). d. A Siemens Confirmation of Attendance that shows he attended the Operations and Maintenance Course – (Level 1) from 29 April 1985 to 10 May 1985. The course does not appear to be military education. e. He reenlisted in the RA on 21 November 1986. f. An AAM certificate was presented to the applicant on 24 December 1986. Orders 148-01, dated 13 January 1987, awarded the AAM to the applicant for the period of service 19 March 1985 to 13 March 1987. g. Orders 10-23, dated 16 January 1987, changes the applicant’s duty station from Boeblingen Germany to Fort Gordon, GA with a reporting date of 12 April 1987. h. Orders 81-5, dated 5 May 1987, awards the applicant his first Good Conduct Medal for the period of service 14 March 1984 to 13 March 1987. i. PLDC diploma was issued to the applicant on 3 February 1989. j. Orders 312-506, dated 8 November 1989, releases the applicant from active duty with a reporting date of 20 November 1989. k. He was released from active duty and transferred to U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) on 20 November 1989. His DD Form 214 shows that he completed 5 years, 8 months and 7 days of active duty service with an honorable character of service. He was awarded or authorized: * Army Achievement Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Army Overseas Service Ribbon * Sharpshooter-Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M16) l. A second AAM certificate reflects the applicant’s name and an award date of 2 February 1990 for service 1 November 1988 to 20 November 1989. m. After an exhaustive search, no record of a unit Joint Service Medal was found in the applicant’s record or in AR 672-5-1 (Awards). The Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Achievement Medal are referenced in AR 672-5-1 but neither awards are documented in the applicant’s service record. 4. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, provides Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations. Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or to any member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Army in a non-combat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished himself/herself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree' than required for award of the, Army Commendation Medal. 5. Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense and takes precedence with, but before, the Army Commendation Medal when both are worn on the uniform. The decoration is not awarded to any individual for a period of service for which another meritorious decoration has been awarded. Each recommendation for award of the Joint Service Commendation. Medal must be entered administratively into command channels within one year of the achievement or service to be honored. 6. Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, the Joint Service Achievement Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense and takes precedence before the Achievement Medals-of the Military Departments. The Joint Service Achievement Medal may not be awarded to any service member for an act or a period of service for which an Achievement Medal of a Military Department or a-similar .decoration has been awarded. Each recommendation for award of the Joint-Service Achievement Medal shall be entered administratively in command channels' within one year of the .achievement or service to be recognized. The decoration may not be awarded for retirement. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found some relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered. The Board agreed there is sufficient evidence to grant the adding of the AAM (2nd Award), and PLDC to his DD Form 214. In addition, the Board determined he should receive the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon for completing PLDC. Furthermore, the Board agreed the Siemans Course was not military education, and there is insufficient evidence that shows he is authorized the Joint unit award. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF X X X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 20 November 1989 by: a. adding to block 13 the Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon b. adding to block 14 the Primary Leadership Development Course 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to adding a joint award and the Siemans Course. 9/11/2019 X CHAIRPERSON Signed by: 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 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, provides Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations. Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or to any member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Army in a non-combat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished himself/herself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree' than required for award of the, Army Commendation Medal. 3. Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense and takes precedence with, but before, the Army Commendation Medal when both are worn on the uniform. The decoration is not awarded to any individual for a period of service for which another meritorious decoration has been awarded. Each recommendation for award of the Joint Service Commendation. Medal must be entered administratively into command channels within one year of the achievement or service to be honored. 4. Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, the Joint Service Achievement Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense and takes precedence before the Achievement Medals-of the Military Departments. The Joint Service Achievement Medal may not be awarded to any service member for an act or a period of service for which an Achievement Medal of a Military Department or a similar decoration has been awarded. Each recommendation for award of the Joint Service Achievement Medal shall be entered administratively in command channels' within one year of the .achievement or service to be recognized. //NOTHING FOLLOWS//