ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


		IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 8 June 2021

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210008141


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from 
Active Duty) to show his military occupational specialty (MOS) as dump truck driver.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record under the Provisions 
of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552)
*	DD Form 214
*	Applicant's Letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs
*	B____’s email, 24 February 2020

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the 3-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 his MOS is incorrect as shown on his DD Form 214. After he left 
Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and was assigned to Fort Richardson, AK, he worked as a 
dump truck driver until his expiration term of service in November 1974.

3.  He was inducted into the Army of the United States and entered active duty on 
16 October 1972.

4.  Headquarters, U.S. Army Alaska, Special Orders Number 35, 4 February 1974, 
promoted him to the rank of specialist four/E-4 effective 1 February 1974. His primary 
MOS 51A1O (Utilities Worker) was withdrawn and he was awarded primary 
MOS 51K2O (Plumber).

5.  Headquarters, U.S. Army Alaska, Special Orders Number 304, 31 October 1974, 
assigned him to the U.S. Army Transition Point, Seattle, with a reporting date of 
13 November 1974. His MOS is shown as 51K2O.

6.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in:

*	item 22 (Military Occupational Specialties) –

*	MOS code 51A1O – Utilities Worker – 13 April 1973
*	MOS code 51K2O – Plumber – 1 February 1974

*	item 27 (Military Education) – Utilities Worker Course, MOS code 51A1O, 
U.S. Army Training Center, 1973

*	item 38 (Record of Assignments) –

*	23 October 1973 – duty MOS O9BOO – Basic Combat Training (Trainee) – 
Company E, 8th Battalion, 2d Brigade, Fort Jackson, SC
*	5 January 1973 – duty MOS 51A1O – Advanced Individual Training 
(Trainee) – Company B, 3d Battalion, 4th Advanced Individual Training 
Brigade, U.S. Army Training Center, Fort Leonard Wood, MO
*	26 April 1973 – duty MOS 51K2O – Plumber – 23d Engineer Company, 
Fort Richardson, AK

7.  On 13 November 1974, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred 
to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training). He completed 1 year, 
11 months, and 21 days of net active service during this period. His DD Form 214 
shows in:

*	item 16a (Primary Specialty Number and Title) – 51K2O Plumber – 1 February 
1974
*	item 17a (Secondary Specialty Number and Title) – None

8.  The applicant’s letter through the Disabled American Veterans to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, undated, states he requested correction of his DD Form 214 to change 
his MOS from plumber to 5-ton dump truck driver. He was denied disability for his 
hearing loss. His hammertoes are service connected; however, he received a 0-percent 
disability rating. His condition is so bad that he needs surgery. He drove a dump truck 
while assigned to the 2d Platoon, 23d Engineer Company. He asked his company 
commander if his records could be changed before he separated from the Army.

9.  The email from the applicant’s uncle, B____, 24 February 2020, states the applicant 
was assigned to the 23d Engineer Company's motor pool after in-processing. Despite 
his MOS and training at Fort Leonard Wood as a plumber, he began driving heavy 
equipment trucks for his entire service in Alaska until his expiration term of service in 
November 1974. His uncle observed him operating a 5-ton dump truck on numerous 
occasions, as well as having to perform maintenance at the motor pool where he often 
picked him up to go home. In addition, his uncle personally observed him clearing a 
runway during an arctic training exercise at Fort Greely, AK.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief 
was not warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting 
documents, and evidence in the records. Based on the preponderance of the evidence, 
the Bound found that the applicant completed a period of advanced individual training 
and received the MOS for that of a plumber. In the absence of sufficient documentation 
reflecting the award of a secondary MOS in which he served, the Board found the 
evidence presented insufficient to warrant relief. 





BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:XX	:XX	:XXX	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 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 635-5 (Separation Documents), effective 15 October 1973, 
prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon 
retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. 
It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.

	a.  The general instructions stated all available records would be used as a basis for 
preparation of DD Form 214, including the DA Form 20 and orders.

	b.  The specific instructions for:

*	item 16a (Primary Specialty Number and Title) stated to enter the MOS code, 
title, and date of award
*	item 17a (Secondary Specialty Number and Title) stated to enter the MOS 
code, title, and date of award

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20210008141


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