ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  1 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180010448


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  RECONDO (Reconnaissance and Commando) be added to 
his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214

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 if effect, he completed RECONDO training at Fort Hood, TX 
while with 1/9 Bravo Troop 1st Calvary in 1971-72.

3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214 that shows he was honorably released from 
active duty on 6 March 1972.  Block 25 (Education and Training Completed) shows 
Fort Eustis, VA – AH.-1G (Huey Cobra Attack Helicopter Repairer).

4.  A review of the applicant’s service records shows the following:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 15 January 1970.

	b.  He served in Vietnam from 19 July 1970 until 19 July 1971 as a Helicopter 
Repairman in Bravo Troop, 1/9 Calvary, 1st Calvary Division.

	c.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in block 27 (Military 
Education) Recondo for 4 weeks in 1971.  

	d.  He was honorably released to US Army Reserve on 6 March 1972.  His DD 
Form 214 Block 25 (Education and Training Completed) shows Fort Eustis, VA – AH-1G 
Hel Repairman (Huey Cobra Attack Helicopter Repairer).

5.  According to the official Army Center for Military History, during the Vietnam War, to 
emphasize reconnaissance and standard infantry skills, a training school was created 
and called "Recondo."  The Recondo insignia of the graduates of the school would be 
an Indian arrowhead pointing downwards to symbolize assault from the sky to the 
ground in the colors of black and white for operation by day and night.  The patch would 
be worn on the graduate's pocket.  To avoid confusion, the graduate of the school would 
be considered a "Recondo" rather than "Ranger" trained.  The patch was worn as long 
as a member was assigned to unit that employed him, mainly in a reconnaissance 
platoon.  The training course was disbanded, however, with the departure of General 
Westmoreland from Vietnam in 1970.

6.  By regulation, Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the 
standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  It is important that 
information entered on the form should be complete and accurate.  Chapter 2 contains 
guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214.  It states that item 25 shows 
education and training completed during the period covered by the DD Form 214.  
Combat courses are not listed.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was 
not warranted.  Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and 
found within the military service record, the Board found that he is a Vietnam Veteran 
who has completed the training.  By regulation, however, combat schools are not listed 
on the DD Form 214.   For that reason, the Board found insufficient evidence of an error 
or injustice which would warrant making a change to the applicant’s 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) establishes the standardized policy 
for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  It is important that information entered 
on the form should be complete and accurate.  Chapter 2 contains guidance on the 
preparation of the DD Form 214.  It states that item 25 shows education and training 
completed during the period covered by the DD Form 214.  Combat courses are not 
listed.

3.	Army Regulation 635-5 current era, item 14 (Military Education) – list formal in 
service (full time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period 
of service covered by the DD Form 214 of at least 1 week or 40 hours duration.  As an 
exception, list Command and General Staff College and Senior Service Colleges 
completed by correspondence courses.  Do not list training courses for combat skills.  
When in doubt, refer to the American Council of Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of 
Educational Experiences in the Armed Services for commonly accepted course titles to 
determine its usefulness to the Soldier after transitioning from the Army.

4.  According to the official Army Center for Military History, during the Vietnam War, 
General Westmoreland noticed a failing of tactical proficiency in squad, team, and 
patrol leaders during the Vietnam War.  Realizing the importance of small unit leaders 
and individuals who had been separated from their parent units to take action against 
superior enemy forces, he instituted relevant training to rectify their deficiencies before 
unit deployment.  At the time, the Army sent many of its officers and senior non-
commissioned officers to an 8-week Ranger Course.  One of the missions of a graduate 
of the Ranger School was to train his platoon or squad members in Ranger tactics.  An 
officer suggested some of the 101st Airborne's Division Rangers trained personnel start 
a school for the entire division in Ranger tactics.  To emphasize reconnaissance and 
standard infantry skills, a training school was created and called "Recondo."  The 
Recondo insignia of the graduates of the school would be an Indian arrowhead pointing 
downwards to symbolize assault from the sky to the ground in the colors of black and 
white for operation by day and night.  The patch would be worn on the graduate's 
pocket.  To avoid confusion, the graduate of the school would be considered a 
"Recondo" rather than "Ranger" trained.  The patch was worn as long as a member 
was assigned to unit that employed him, mainly in a reconnaissance platoon.  The 
training course was disbanded, however, with the departure of General Westmoreland 
from Vietnam in 1970.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180010448

3

1