ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
IN THE CASE OF:    BOARD DATE: 30 March 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200009627 
APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show completion of airborne and sniper schools. 
APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) 
FACTS: 
1. 
The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States 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 completed airborne and sniper school in May 1989.  He would like his DD Form 214 to reflect his attendance at these two schools. 

3. 
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 June 1985. He attended and completed his initial entry training.  Upon the completion of his training, he was awarded military occupational specialty 11H (Anti-armor Weapons Infantryman). 

4. 
A review of the applicant’s DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows in Block 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools) he completed the following military schools beyond his military initial entry raining: 

. 
Airborne School in 1985 

. 
Machine Shop Course 1985 

. 
Combat Life Saver Course in 1987 

. 
Sniper School 1989 



5. 
Within his military personnel record are copies of course completion certificates attesting to his graduating from: 

. 
United States Army Infantry School Airborne Couse on 31 October 1985 

. 
Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy Primary Leadership Development Course Class 1-88 on 13 November 1987 

. 
3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Certificate of Training, Introductory Sniper Course 10 May 1989 



6. 
In Block 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaign) of his DA Form 2-1 he was authorized the following: 

. 
Army Service Ribbon (for completing initial entry training) 

. 
"Airborne" (for completing airborne training on 31 October 1985) also known as the Parachute Badge 

. 
Overseas Service Ribbon (for 12 months of foreign service in Korea from 17 November 1985 through 14 November 1986) 

. 
National Defense Service Medal 

. 
NCO Professional Development Ribbon (for completing Primary Leadership Development Course in November 1987) 

. 
Army Achievement Medal (1st Award) on 6 April 1987 

. 
Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) on 1 April 1988 

. 
Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) on 1 April 1988 



7. 
The applicant’s military personnel record does not contain permanent orders awarding the two Army Achievement Medals or the Parachute Badge.  His record does contain two copies of his DA Forms 4980-18 (Army Achievement Medal Certificate) dated 6 April 1987 and 1 April 1988. (At the time of issuance of these two certificates, there was a requirement to publish a separate set of permanent orders announcing an individual award.  In time, a change to Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) directed that the award certificate would also contain the permanent order number reducing the requirement to publish two documents per one award.) 

8. 
On 25 January 1988, personnel at Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) and Fort Stewart, Fort Stewart, Georgia issued Orders 15-110 reassigning the applicant to the post separation transfer point and then releasing him from active service effective 1 April 1988. His follow on assignment instructions after his release from active service show he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement). 

9. 
On 11 March 1988 the same headquarters issued Orders 48-50 amending Orders 15-110 to show he was reassigned to Company B, 87th Infantry (USAR), Denver, Colorado upon his release from active service.  This order informed him he must report to his USAR unit no later than 30 days after his separation date from active service. 

10. 
Accordingly, on 1 April 1988 the applicant was honorably released from active service and issued a DD Form 214 documenting his service of 2 years, 9 months and 5 days. In pertinent part, his DD Form 214 contains the following information: 


a. In Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the – 
. 
Army Service Ribbon 

. 
Overseas Service Ribbon 

. 
Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) 

. 
Army Lapel Button 


b. In Block 14 (Military Education) "NA" [not applicable] 
11. 
The applicant’s 1 April 1988 DD Form 214 requires administrative correction in accordance with Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) and Army Regulation 635­5 (Separation Documents).  These corrections do not require board action. See "ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S)." 

12. 
On 15 January 1991, personnel at Headquarters, 96th U.S. Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) issued the 3rd Battalion, 87th Infantry unit mobilization orders, Order 08-01, ordering the unit to active duty effective 17 January 1991. The unit was directed to support Operation Desert Shield. 

13. 
On 15 January 1991, personnel at Headquarters, Sixth U.S. Army and Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, California issued Permanent Orders 9-5 ordering the 3rd Battalion, 87th Infantry to active duty for a period of 180 days. These orders were amended on 5 February 1991 extending the unit’s active duty period to 360 days. 

14. 
As directed by Order 09-01, the applicant entered active duty on 17 January 1991. 

15. 
The applicant’s name is not listed on the Gulf War Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm data base roster complied by the Defense Manpower Data Center for the period from August 1990 through December 1997 showing he deployed into the theater of operations or that he received hostile fire pay. 

16. 
The applicant’s DA Form 2-1 shows in Block 5 (Oversea Service) he served in United States Army Europe – Germany from 4 February through 29 April 1991, a period of 2 months and 26 days. 

17. 
On 18 May 1991, the applicant was honorably released from active duty based upon the completion of required service. Again he was issued a DD Form 214 


documenting his active service this period of 4 months and 2 days, his previous period of active service, and 3 years, 8 months and 22 days of total prior inactive service. In pertinent part, his 1991 DD Form 214 contains the following information: 
a. In Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the – 
. 
Army Achievement Medal (1st Award) 

. 
Army Service Ribbon 

. 
Overseas Service Ribbon 

. 
National Defense Service Medal 

. 
Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) 

. 
NCO Professional Development Ribbon 

. 
Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) 

. 
Army Lapel Button 


b. In Block 14 (Military Education) "NA" 
On 1 December 1992, a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) was issued correcting his 18 May 1991 by showing he received two Overseas Service Ribbons. 
BOARD DISCUSSION: 
1. 
After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that partial relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents, and evidence in the records. Based on the documentation available for review, the Board found sufficient documentation that the applicant attended and completed Airborne School to warrant relief. 

2. 
The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a DD214 can be used to assist the Soldier after separation in job placement and counseling, training courses for combat skills are not to be listed. Completion of the sniper course is correctly reflected on his DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record). 

3. 
Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. 


BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : XXX : XXX : XXX GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION 
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 
1. 
The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 1 April 1988 to show in block 14 (Military Education): 

Airborne School (851014-851031)   

2. 
The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to completion of sniper course. 


X 
CHAIRPERSON 
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): 
a. Based upon regulatory guidance, add the following awards to his DD Form 214, dated 1 April 1988, to Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): 
. 
Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award) 

. 
National Defense Service Medal 

. 
NCO Professional Development Ribbon 

. 
Parachute Badge 


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 ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 

2. 
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states awards made by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Army are announced in DAGOs. Awards of decorations and the Army Good Conduct Medal will be announced in permanent orders by the appropriate awards approval authority.  Service medals and ribbons are administratively awarded to individuals who meet the qualifying criteria. 

3. 
Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time prescribed the separation documents which were/are prepared for individuals upon retirement, discharge or release from active military service or control of the U.S. Army. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).  A DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) is issued to correct a DD Form 214 after it has been issued. 


a. 
 It states to list awards and decorations for all periods of service in the priority sequence specified in Army Regulation 600-8-22.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 gives the order of precedence for awards and decorations.  Only decorations, medals, and ribbons are listed.  Certificates of achievement, letters of appreciation, and similar documents are not listed. Additional instructions state to check the Soldiers’ service record for the validity of awards. 

b. 
 It states to list formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed; e. g., medical, dental, electronics, supply, administrative, personnel or heavy equipment. Command and General Staff and Senior Service Colleges, Senior Warrant Officer course, and Sergeant Major Academy Non­resident course may be included when successfully completed by correspondence. This information is to assist the Soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills will not be listed. 


4. Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) prescribes policy and procedural guidance relating to transition management.  It consolidated the policies, principles of support, and standards of service regarding processing personnel for 
transition. The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier’s most recent period of 
continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior action, and prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The DD Form 214 is not intended to have any legal effect on terminations 
of a Soldier’s service. When separation is ordered, the separation approval document 
must be present for transition processing these included the Enlisted Record Brief or Officer Record Brief, separation approval documents, separation orders and any other document authorized for filing in the personnel records. 
a. 
 For Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) list all federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service. Do not use abbreviations. Do not enter foreign or State level awards. 

b. 
 For Block 14 (Military Education) list all formal, in-service (full time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 of at least 1 week or 40 hours’ duration. This information is to assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, do not list training course for combat skills.  When in doubt, refer to the American Council of Education’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experienced in the Armed Service for commonly accepted course titled to determine its usefulness to the Soldier after transition from the Army. Acceptable sources document includes the enlisted record brief, DA Form 4037 (Officer Record Brief), DA Form 1059 (Service School Academic Evaluation Report) or other military issued certificate of completion with from and through dates or number of weeks shown on the certificate. 


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