IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 24 February 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190011315 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) covering the period 2 April 1973 through 30 June 1975 to show: * Special Qualification Identifier (SQI) “S” for Special Forces included in his primary military occupational specialty (PMOS) at item 16a (Primary Specialty Number and title) * Ranger Tab APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * U.S. Army Infantry School Certificate, dated 21 October 1959 * Certificate of Achievement, dated 26 October 1963 * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the Unites States Report of Transfer or Discharge), covering the period 5 May 1961 through 4 May 1967 * DD Form 214 covering the period 5 May 1967 through 1 April 1973 * DD Form 214 covering the period 2 April 1973 through 30 June 1975 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the 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: a. He requests the addition of the “S” SQI and the Ranger Tab to his retirement DD Form 214. At his last duty station, he was not assigned to a Special Forces assignment and he was told that once you had the skill identifier “S” it would remain a part of your PMOS. b. At his age (87), he just learned that the Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, NC, will not provide a Special Forces burial detail without the “S” SQI. Without this change he will be denied a Special Forces burial detail at his funeral. 3. A DD Form 13 (Statement of Service) shows the following regarding the applicant’s service: * Army National Guard service from 21 November 1949 - 29 December 1953 * Regular Army service from 30 December 1953 – 18 December 1956 * U.S. Army Reserve service from 19 December 1956 – 12 February 1957 * Regular Army service from 5 May 1958 through his retirement 4. He provided a U.S. Army Infantry School Certificate, dated 21 October 1959, showing his successful completion of the Ranger Course on the date of the certificate. 5. He provided a Certificate of Achievement showing his successful completion of the Light and Heavy Weapons Course at the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center, Special Forces Training Group, Airborne, Fort Bragg, NC, on 26 October 1963. 6. His DA form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he carried the Special Forces SQI “S” in his MOS from 29 January 1964 through 9 August 1972. It shows he did not carry the SQI “S” in his MOS from 1 April 1973 forward. 7. His DD Form 214 covering the period 5 May 1961 through 4 May 1967 reflects his MOS as 11C4S, Heavy Weapons Infantryman, and includes the SQI “S”. 8. Headquarters, U.S. Army Base Command Okinawa Special Orders Number 152, Dated 13 October 1972, show his PMOS 11G5S and secondary MOS (SMOS) 11F5S With SQI “S” were withdrawn and he was awarded PMOS 11G5O and SMOS 11F5O, the “O” character in the MOS reflecting no SQI. 9. His DD Form 214 covering the period 5 May 1967 through 1 April 1973 reflects his MOS as 11G5O, Infantry Senior Sergeant, with SQI “O” instead of “S”. 10. An Enlisted Evaluation Data Report, for the evaluation period May 1973, shows the applicant was evaluated in MOS 11G5O. 11. His final DD Form 214, covering the period 2 April 1973 through 30 June 1975, shows he was retired due to length of service after 20 years, 3 months, and 16 days net active service. His MOS is shown as 11G5O Infantry Senior Sergeant with SQI “O”. Item 25 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized incudes the annotation, “RgrArcTInsig,” or Ranger Arc Tab Insignia. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief is not warranted. The applicant’s SQI “S” for Rangers was withdrawn by orders 152 effective 26 September 1972. There is no error or injustice in the applicant’s two DD Form 214 for the period 1 April 1973 and 30 June 1975 concerning SQI “S”. The applicants DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 June 1975 does show in item 25 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the annotation, “RgrArcTInsig,” for Ranger Arc Tab Insignia so no correction is needed on this item. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : :: 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, United States 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 600-200 (Enlisted Personnel Management System), in effect at the time, prescribed policy and procedures for career management of Army personnel. a. Paragraph 2-33 provided the general provisions of Special Qualification Identifiers (SQI). The SQI is the fifth character of the military occupational specialty code (MOSC), which identifies special qualifications that a Soldier may possess. SQI “S” is awarded for Special Forces. b. Soldiers who are qualified for award of an authorized SQI will be awarded the SQI by announcement in orders. The SQI, when made part of an MOS, will be retained as long as the Soldier is qualified in the skill represented or until a more significant SQI is attained. Special Forces, Rangers, and Airborne Soldiers will be considered qualified only as long as they maintain their volunteer status. c. SQIs will be withdrawn upon loss of qualification in represented skill. When any SQI is withdrawn, the identifier will be deleted from all MOSs in which awarded. Identifier “S” or “V” (Ranger-Parachutist) will be withdrawn under the following conditions: * when no longer qualified for airborne duty * upon withdrawal of security clearance * upon request of the Soldier * upon determination by reclassification authority that a Soldier is unsuitable for further Special Forces/Ranger duty * when the Soldier refuses to jump while airborne 3. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Decorations, Awards, and Honors – Military Awards) in effect at the time, provided policy guidance regarding individual and unit awards. Paragraph 5-28 states the Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School may award the Ranger Tab to any person who successfully completed a Ranger course conducted by that school. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190011315 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1