ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 May 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210005726 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to reflect the following * Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 61B3O (Boat Operator) * service in Vietnam APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * multiple self-authored statements * Transportation School Certificate of Attendance, dated 22 October 1968 * Transportation School Diploma, dated 29 November 1968 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 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 obtained the MOS 61B3O and also served in Vietnam as a boat operator. He returned home, married, had a family, got a job, and had no reason to be concerned about his discharge until he filed a disability claim and it was denied. b. He has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which is due to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam, but his DD Form 214 does not reflect his tour in Vietnam. He served in Vietnam in 1969 and his MOS was 61B3O. He has attached his diplomas for 61B1O (Crewman) and 61B2O (Crewman). Unfortunately, his diploma for 61B3O was burned in a house fire. He is applying for a service-connected medical condition that resulted from exposure to Agent Orange and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires additional information and proof of Vietnam service before they will approve service-connection. c. In 1969, they met with and other officers at the Pentagon. Their orders for a special assignment were given to them. For a brief time, he was in a special unit that required a Secret Clearance. Their job was to check on the movement of Chinese troops and the arms and ammunition entering Vietnam and to do so they patrolled the rivers and waterways of Vietnam. d. He knows this was a secret mission, but he needs any documentation proving at least 1 day of service in Vietnam for his application to the VA. When he returned to the U.S., he was assigned to Fort Hood, TX, in the Special Services, where he taught boxing and martial arts. His DD form 214 shows he was a supply and stock clerk until his discharge in 1971. He was not a clerk. He has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease as a result of Agent Orange exposure, which is rapidly deteriorating his nervous system and needs the assistance of the VA medical programs. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 14 June 1968. 4. The applicant provided the following certificates: * Transportation School Certificate of Attendance, which shows he completed the Seaman Course (MOS Course 61A1O) at the U.S. Army Transportation School, Fort Eustis, VA on 22 October 1968 * Transportation School Diploma, which shows he completed the Crewman Course (MOS Course 61B2O) at the U.S. Army Transportation School, Fort Eustis, VA, on 25 November 1968 5. The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the following: a. In item 38 (Record of Assignments): * he attended Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Ord, CA, from 14 June 1968 through 16 August 1968 * he attended 61A1O then 61B2O Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Eustis, VA, from 18 September 1968 through 28 February 1969 * he was assigned to 501st Administration Company (Admin Co), 1st Armored Division, Fort Hood, TX, in the duty MOS 76Y2O (Supply Clerk), effective 17 March 1969 b. In item 22 (MOSs) he was awarded the PMOS 61B1O on 21 November 1968 (which is stricken thorough, indicating PMOS withdrawal) 6. Headquarters, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides) special Orders Number 70, dated 15 March 1969, released the applicant from the 501st Admin Co Replacement Detachment and assigned him to the 501st Admin Co for duty with supply in MOS 76A1O, effective 17 March 1969. These orders reflect his PMOS as 61B2O. 7. The applicant’s DA Form 20 further shows in item 22 he was awarded PMOS 76Y2O on 9 July 1969. 8. Headquarters, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides) Special Orders Number 194, dated 31 July 1969, promoted the applicant to specialist four in the PMOS 76Y2O, effective 9 July 1969. 9. Headquarters, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides) Special Orders Number 194, dated 31 July 1969, further awarded the applicant PMOS 76Y2O and withdrew PMOS 61B2O under the provisions of Army Regulation 600-200 (Enlisted Personnel Management System), paragraph 2-32, effective 9 July 1969. 10. Headquarters, 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides) Special Orders Number 93, dated 3 May 1971, relieved the applicant from 501st Admin Co, 1st Armored Division, and reassigned him to the 15th Adjutant General Company (AG CO), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX, in the MOS 03C2O (Physical Activities Specialist), effective 5 May 1971. 11. The applicant’s DA Form 20 further shows the following: * item 31 (Foreign Service) contains no entries * item 38 shows he was reassigned in duty MOS 03C2O on 5 May 1971 to the 15th AG CO, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX * item 38 does not contain any record of assignments in Vietnam * item 39 (Campaigns) contains no entries 12. Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Hood Special Orders Number 143, dated 8 June 1971, released the applicant from active duty and transferred him to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) effective 11 June 1971. These orders list his duty station as Fort Hood, TX and his MOS as 76Y2O. 13. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the following: * he was honorably released from active duty on 11 June 1971 and transferred to the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement), due to expiration term of service * he was credited with 2 years, 11 months, and 28 days of net active service this period * item 22c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) shows 0 0 0 * item 23a (Specialty Number and Title) shows 76Y2O (Supply Clerk) * item 25 (Education and Training Completed) shows U.S. Army Transportation School (USATSCH), Fort Eustis, VA, Seaman BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicants request, supporting documents, evidence in the records and regulatory guidance. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his military service record and documents provided by the applicant. The Burden of proof rest with the applicant, however, he did not provide any supporting documentation and his service record has insufficient evidence to support the applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board did note that there is a lapse of time missing between November 1968 and March 1969. Regrettably, the Board found the records to be absent any documentation awarding you the MOS of 61B, they noted the certificates provided but found that insufficient to correct the applicant’s records. The Board determined there is insufficient evidence in the applicant’s military record to support the correction to his MOS and that he served in Vietnam. Therefore, the Board denied relief. 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. 3/15/2022 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. 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, prescribes policies, responsibilities, and procedures pertaining to career management of Army enlisted personnel. a. Paragraph 2-32 (Reclassification of Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS)/Secondary MOS (SMOS)) states an awarded MOS normally represents a significant investment of time and effort both on the part of the Army and the Soldier. Thus, change of PMOS will not normally occur unless the benefits to accrue to both the Army and the Soldier transcends the significance of the training investment already made. b. Reclassification of PMOS/SMOS is mandatory by reclassification authority when any of the following conditions exist that require withdrawal of an awarded PMOS/SMOS: * erroneous award entry * medical (physical) inability to perform required duties * disciplinary actions taken which adversely affect eligibility to perform duty in the MOS * loss of qualifications * lack of security clearance * appointment or reduction from a pay grade not commensurate with the MOS * direction of Headquarters, Department of the Army * upon completion of training or retraining concerning surplus and shortage MOSs * upon promotion in an MOS other than the PMOS, the MOS in which the Soldier is promoted will be awarded as primary 3. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. a. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). The general instructions state all available records would be used as a basis for preparation of the DD Form 214. b. Instructions for item 22c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) state to enter total active duty outside the continental limits of the United States for the period covered by the DD Form 214 and the last overseas theater in which service was performed, e.g., “Foreign and/or Sea Service (USAREUR). Later iterations of this regulation required that the inclusive dates of service in Vietnam performed on or after 5 August 1964 would be included in item 30 (Remarks). c. Instructions for item 23a (Specialty Number and Title) state to enter the primary military occupational specialty (PMOS) code number and title. If the specialty represented by the MOS has a related civilian occupation, enter in item 23b the appropriate job title and code number. d. Instructions for item 25 (Education and Training Completed) state to enter service schools, including major courses which were successfully completed and military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared. //NOTHING FOLLOWS//