ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  13 August 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180015442


APPLICANT REQUESTS:, in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show her primary military occupational 
specialty (MOS) as 19K (M1 Armor Crewman).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Three-page Letter
*	Photograph, dated August 1985, Fort Hood, TX
*	Plaque depicting a tank with crossed sabers
*	News article, "Richard Marcinko:  A Controversial Leader," unknown source

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 she never performed the duties of her MOS 39E (Special 
Electronic Device Repairer).  She contends that she made a conscious decision to train 
as a 19K, even though she knew woman were prohibited from obtaining a Combat Arms 
MOS.  This was a huge obstacle in her career but she points to numerous military 
experiences which show she earned this MOS.  These events included:

*	her extensive knowledge of range operations related to small arms, tanks, and 
helicopter maneuvers
*	her duty as an Automatic Tank Target System (ATTS) Handler
*	Explosive Ordnance Disposal and safety training
*	having pilots fly her around the ranges so she could understand the setup
*	being a ground guide for tanks whenever possible, riding in tanks, and even 
learning to drive a M-1 tank
*	asking questions of everyone she could about the MOS
*	training Richard Marcinko's team
3.  Her record shows that she enlisted in the Regular Army on 15 September 1981 and 
was awarded MOS 35E (Special Electronic Devices Repairer) on 2 April 1982.

4.  Her DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows that during her period of 
service:

*	her duty MOS was listed as MOS 35E
*	her principal duties were as an ATTS Handler and a Special Electronic Device 
Repairer
*	no formal or on the job training in MOS 19K
*	she was discharged on 1 February 1990

5.  item 9 (Primary Specialty) of her DD Form 214 issued at the time of her discharge 
shows she held PMOS 39E for 4years and 5 months.

6.  The applicant provided:

*	a photograph of a plaque showing a tank with cross sabers, and the phrase "You 
Earned It"
*	a photograph of her shaking a general officer's hand (Fort Hood, TX)
*	news article about Richard Marcinko

7.  Regulatory guidance, in effect at the time, did not permit a female Soldier to be 
awarded a Combat Arms MOS. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

The Board did not find sufficient evidence to grant the applicant’s request; there is 
insufficient evidence of an error or injustice regarding the applicant’s claim as no 
documentation was provided or found within the record showing the applicant was 
authorized the MOS 19K.  At the time of the applicant’s service, women were not 
authorized to serve in a combat MOS and there is no evidence in the applicant’s service 
record or evidence submitted by her that she ever held this MOS.  Therefore the Board 
denied relief.
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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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

Not Applicable

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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, provided 
instructions for completing the DD Form 214.  It stated for item 11 (Primary Specialty) to 
enter the titles of all military occupational specialties or AOC served for at least 1 year 
and include the number of years and months served for each.

3.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 611-21 (Military Occupational Classification and 
Structure), in effect at the time, prescribed the method of developing, changing, and 
controlling of officer, warrant officer, and enlisted military occupational classification 
structure.  It stated that combat military occupational specialties were closed to female 
Soldiers.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180015442
	
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