ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 July 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180015214 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his rank as sergeant first class (SFC)/E-7. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552) * DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States) * Special Orders Number 240, Headquarters, U.S. Army Personnel Center, Fort Lewis, WA, dated 28 August 1971 * Orders 4-5, Headquarters, 95th Training Command, 95th Division (Training), Little Rock, AR, dated 10 March 1984 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame as provided in Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) 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 promoted to the rank/grade of SFC/E-7 and he needs his DD Form 214 updated for issuance of his U.S. Uniformed Services Identification Card. 3. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 30 November 1968. 4. He was promoted to the rank/grade of specialist five (SP5)/E-5 effective 10 May 1971. 5. Special Orders Number 240, Headquarters, U.S. Army Personnel Center, Fort Lewis, WA, dated 28 August 1971, relieved him from active duty and transferred him to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) effective 30 August 1971. His rank is shown as SP5. 6. He was honorably released from active duty on 29 August 1971. Item 5a (Grade, Rate, or Rank) and item 5b (Pay Grade) of his DD Form 214 show his rank/grade as SP5/E-5. 7. There is no evidence showing he was promoted to the rank/grade of SFC/E-7 prior to his release from active duty. 8. On 24 October 1975, he enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States), dated 24 October 1975, shows his rank/grade as SP5/E-5. 9. He was promoted to the rank/grade of specialist six (SP6)/E-6 effective 21 September 1981. 10. He was honorably separated from the Arkansas Army National Guard on 24 January 1983 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve. His National Guard Bureau Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) shows his rank/grade as SP6/E-6. 11. Orders 4-5, Headquarters, 95th Training Command, 95th Division (Training), Little Rock, AR, dated 10 March 1984, promoted him to SFC/E-7 effective 10 March 1984. 12. Orders 22-10, Headquarters, 95th Division (Training), dated 8 April 1985, relieved him from assignment and reassigned him to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) effective 22 March 1985 due to an employment conflict. His rank is shown as SFC. 13. Orders D-02-012578, U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center, St. Louis, MO, dated 18 February 1986, honorably discharged from the Ready Reserve effective 18 February 1986. His rank is shown as SFC. 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 record of service, his separation from active duty and his promotions in the Reserve Component subsequent to the period reflected on his DD Form 214. The Board found no evidence that the applicant served any additional periods of active duty or that he was promoted beyond the grade of SP5/E5 while on active duty. Based upon a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the rank reflected on the DD Form 214 issued when he was released from active duty reflected the circumstances as they existed at the time and was not in error or unjust. 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 :XXX :XXX :XXX 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): not applicable. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-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, prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The general instructions stated all available records would be used as a basis for the preparation of the DD Form 214, including the DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record), and orders. The specific instructions for items 5a and b stated to enter the grade in which serving at the time of separation. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20180015214 5 1