BOARD DATE: 13 August 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190014943 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 3 March 1972 to show all awards he was awarded during his service in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) and to show his rank as sergeant (SGT)/E-5. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 for the period 2 July 1970 to 3 March 1972 * retirement orders, dated 22 September 2011 * letter from TACOM Clothing and Heraldry Product Support Integration Directorate, undated * letter from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), dated 12 June 2019 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame 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 that after his DD Form 214 was issued in March 1972, he spent over 20 years in the USAR and received several awards. His DD Form 214 does not show any of the awards he received after being discharged from the Regular Army in 1972 and does not show the rank of SGT/E-5, which was his rank at the time of retirement in 1994. 3. The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 July 1970. 4. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he was released from active duty and transferred to the USAR on 3 March 1972, in the rank of specialist/E-4. His DD Form 214 also shows he was awarded or authorized the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16). 5. The applicant’s DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows he was promoted to the rank of SGT on 1 October 1977. 6. Orders issued on 5 August 1994 directed the applicant's release from the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement) and his transfer to the Retired Reserve. 7. Orders issued on 22 September 2011 directed the applicant's placement on the Retired List, in the rank of SGT/E-5, effective 21 April 2012. 8. The applicant provided a letter from Clothing and Heraldry Product Support Integration Directorate showing awards he is authorized and a letter from the NPRC advising him to submit an application for correction of military records. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting evidence, the Board found insufficient evidence to grant relief. The applicant received awards and was promoted to SGT/E-5 after the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 (2 July 1970 to 3 March 1972). Per regulation, the DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty and, in the applicant’s case, provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of discharge. 2. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his official military personnel file. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion about the lack of his additional awards and final rank on his DD Form 214. 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. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, 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 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 of the applicant's active duty service, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The regulation also states that a DD Form 214 will be prepared for all personnel at the time of their retirement, discharge, or release from active duty, including USAR personnel who are separated after completing 90 days or more of continuous active duty. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190014943 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1