ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	BOARD DATE:  1 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190007639


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of item 23a (Specialty Number & Title) of his     
DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to 
show 11B4O (Light Weapons Infantryman) instead of 71H2O (Personnel Specialist).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Letter Orders Number 01-1011911
*	DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification 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, in effect, he served in the Republic of Vietnam in MOS 11B4O 
and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Medal, and Bronze Star.  An error was 
made when he was released from active duty at Fort Lewis, WA.

3.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 14 February 1968.

4.  Item 22 (Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)) of his DD Form 20 shows he was 
awarded the primary (P) MOS 11B on 21 June 1968.

5.  Special Orders Number 327 issued by Headquarters, 7th Armored Squadron, 17th 
Armored Cavalry Regiment on 16 December 1968, awarded him the secondary MOS 
71H2O.

6.  Effective 13 April 1969, the applicant was appointed the temporary rank/grade of 
sergeant (SGT)/E-5 in MOS 11B4O.

7.  Special Orders Number 259 issued by Headquarters, U.S. Army Personnel Center, 
Fort Lewis, WA on 16 September 1969, lists his MOS as 71H2O.

8.  The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 17 September 1969.  The 
DD Form 214 he was issued lists MOS 71H2O in item 23a.

9.  Letter Orders Number 01-1011911 dated 23 January 1974, discharged him from the 
U.S. Army Reserve on 1 February 1974, in the rank/grade of SGT/E-5 and in MOS 
11B4O.

10.  The regulation in effect at the time of the applicant's release from active duty 
contained item-by-item instructions for completing the DD Form 214.  These instructions 
stated to enter their PMOS code number and title in item 23a.  The source documents 
used were orders and the DA Form 20. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and 
evidence in the records.  The Board considered the applicant’s request, his record of 
service, his MOS, award of a secondary MOS, the MOS on his separation orders and 
his DD Form 214.  The Board found no evidence that the applicant’s primary MOS was 
changed to the secondary MOS.  Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board 
determined that an error occurred at separation and a correction to the MOS on his DD 
Form 214 was appropriate. 

2.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief was warranted.


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 amending the DD Form 
214 for the period ending 17 September 1969, item 23 a. (Specialty Number and Title) 
to reflect “11B40, Infantryman” vice “71H20, Pers Spec.”


	  
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, 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) prescribed the separation 
documents that were prepared for individuals upon retirement, discharge, or release 
from active military service or control of the Army.  It also establishes standardized 
policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The DD Form 214 is a summary 
of a Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provides a brief, clear-cut 
record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or 
discharge.  The regulation in effect at the time of the applicant's release from active 
duty contained item-by-item instructions for completing the DD Form 214.  These 
instructions stated to enter their PMOS code number and title in item 23a.  The source 
documents used were orders and the DA Form 20.


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190007639

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