IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 November 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210005633 APPLICANT REQUESTS: * correction of his records to show his rank/grade as specialist (SPC)/E-4 at his date of enlistment * a personal appearance before the Board APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Memorandum, subject: College Credit Verification for Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) * Evaluation Report from the Foundation for International Services, Inc. FACTS: 1. The applicant states when he enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 May 2019, he had the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree. He did not enter the service as a SPC/E-4, but rather as a private first class (PFC)/E-3 and would like his record to reflect that. 2. The applicant provides: a. An evaluation report from the Foundation for International Services, Inc., dated 23 April 2019, which shows his credits received. b. A memorandum from the education center, dated 21 November 2019, which shows he completed 120 semester hours of college credit. 3. A review of the applicant’s service records show: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 May 2019. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment/ Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States) shows he enlisted in the rank/pay grade of private/E-1. b. His ERB shows, in pertinent part: * Section III (Service Data): private first class (PFC)/E-3, 30 April 2019 and SPC/E-4, 1 January 2021 * Section VII (Civilian Education): 4-year college, baccalaureate degree, 2017 c. He held military occupational specialty 88H (Cargo Operator) and was assigned to Fort Eustis, VA. He was advanced to SPC/E-4 on 1 January 2021. d. On 31 October 2021, he was honorably retired from active duty due to permanent disability under the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 635-40 (Disability Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, or Separation). His DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows in: * item 4a (Grade, Rate, or Rank): SPC * item 4b (Pay Grade): E-4 * item 12i (Effective Date of Pay Grade): 1 January 2021 4. An advisory opinion was received in the processing of this case from the Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 on 6 October 2021. The Chief, Recruiting Policy Branch states: a. The enclosed application for correction of military records has been reviewed. Their records reflect the applicant entered active duty on 1 May 2019. Based on a review of his enlistment records, they discovered a copy of the evaluation of his foreign education transcripts that was conducted by the Foundation for International Services, Inc., was available for review by Army recruiting personnel at the entrance station prior to his entry onto active duty. The Foundation for International Services, Inc. is a founding member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, which is recognized by the U.S. Army. The Foundation for International Services, Inc. indicated the applicant’s college credentials are equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in logistics that is awarded in the U.S. by an accredited institution of higher learning. An administrative oversight occurred during his enlistment process surrounding his entry grade. Upon entry onto active duty, the applicant should have been advanced to pay grade E-4. Army enlistment policy authorizes advancement to grade E-4 for applicants that have earned a bachelor’s degree prior to entry onto active duty. b. Based on the review above, they recommend administrative relief in this case. They recommend retroactive promotion to pay grade E-4, effective 1 May 2019, which coincides with the date that he entered active duty. c. This opinion is based on regulatory guidance outlined in AR 601-210 (Regular Army and Reserve Components Enlistment Program), as well as the review of the enclosed application and related source documents. 5. On 15 October 2021, the applicant was provided with a copy of this advisory opinion for his acknowledgement and/or rebuttal. On 21 October 2021, he responded and concurred with the advisory opinion’s decision. 6. By regulation, a member who has successfully completed a degree-producing college program of 4-year duration, the college or university is listed in the AIPE, and has been awarded a bachelor degree or higher (foreign degrees and transcripts, must be evaluated accordingly) may enlist at any time at pay grade E-4. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's request, supporting documents, and evidence in the records, and found a copy of the evaluation of his foreign education transcripts equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in logistics that is awarded in the U.S. by an accredited institution of higher learning. An administrative oversight occurred during his enlistment process surrounding his entry grade. Board members voted to grant relief that upon entry onto active duty, the applicant should have been advanced to pay grade E-4, consistent with Army enlistment policy that authorizes advancement to grade E-4 for applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree prior to entry onto active duty. 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 showing: * showing that all portions of his 1 May 2019 enlistment contracts (DD Form 4/1 and 4/2, DD Form 1966-2 and 1966-3, DA Form 3286, and any other record as appropriate) were properly prepared authorizing his enlistment in the Regular Army as a specialist/pay grade E-4 * paying him all pay and allowances due as a result of this correction 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. REFERENCE: Army Regulation 601-210 (Regular Army and Reserve Components Enlistment Program), paragraph 2-18 (Enlistment Pay Grades for Personnel Without Prior Service) states a member who has successfully completed a degree-producing college program of 4-year duration, the college or university is listed in the AIPE, and has been awarded a bachelor degree or higher (foreign degrees and transcripts, must be evaluated accordingly) may enlist at any time at pay grade E-4. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210005633 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1