RMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 13 September 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180014567 APPLICANT REQUESTS: a change to the military occupational specialty (MOS) shown on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) from 71Q20 (Information Specialist) to 11B20 (Infantryman). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * Bronze Star Citation * Air Medal Citation and General Orders (GO) Number 1056 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 was transferred from Company A to Headquarters and that is when his military occupational specialty (MOS) changed. He states he was trained as an 11B (Infantryman) and he served with a line platoon for six months. When he got his knee injury he was transferred to the Headquarters Company to work as a 71Q (Information Specialist) but never received any formal training. However, his MOS was changed and he was sent to work as an Information Specialist. 3. The applicant provides: a. DD Form 214, covering the period ending 14 March 1969, showing his MOS listed at time of separation as 71Q20 (Information Specialist). b. Bronze Star Citation which was awarded during the period of August 1967 to August 1968, for exemplary professionalism and initiative in obtaining outstanding results in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. c. Air Medal Citation and GO Number 1056 covering the period of August 1967 to February 1968, for distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight in support of combat ground forces of the Republic of Vietnam. 4. A review of the applicant's service records shows: a. He was inducted into the Regular Army on 15 March 1967. b. He was formally trained as an 11B (Infantryman) at Fort Jackson and was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Division (Air Mobility). c. He served in Vietnam from August 1967 to August 1968. He was assigned to Company A, 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry Division (Air Mobility) in duty MOS 11B. d. On 3 October 1968, he was transferred to Headquarters, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) Fort Carson, his MOS was listed as 71Q (Information Specialist). e. On 14 Mar 1969, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 2 years of active service. His DD Form 214 shows in * item 23a (Specialty Number and Title), 71Q2O Information Specialist * item 25 (Education and Training Completed), Fort Jackson – Leadership Prep Course 5. By regulation (AR 635-5), the DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The information entered thereon reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. For Block 23a (Specialty Number and Title), enter primary MOS code number and title held at the time of separation. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered. Evidence of record shows he completed formal infantryman training and was awarded MOS 11B. He was subsequently assigned in a 71Q duty position; however, no orders were published showing 71Q was awarded as his primary MOS. The Board agreed the DD Form 214 should be corrected to his MOS as 11B. In addition, the Board determined his rank should reflect SGT instead of SP5 as an infantryman. His DA Form 20 shows he received all excellence ratings for his conduct and proficiency during his two years of service. The Board agreed he should be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal for his service. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 X X X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for exemplary service from 15 March 1967 through 14 March 1969, and amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 14 March 1969 by: a. changing item 5a (Grade, Rate or Rank) to show “SGT (T) b. changing item 23a (Specialty Number & Title) to show “11B2O Light Weapons Infantryman,” and 23b (Related Civilian Occupation) to show “NA”; and c. adding the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) to item 24. 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), in effect at the time, established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the Soldier with documentary evidence of his/her military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. Item 23a was to show the Soldier's primary MOS and title. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20180014567 3 1