IN THE CASE OF BOARD DATE: 8 June 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210014895 APPLICANT REQUESTS: * Award of the Army Good Conduct Medal * A personal appearance before the Board (telephonically/video) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), dated 2 October 1989 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), 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 in pertinent part that the Army Good Conduct Medal was never awarded to her prior to being released from active duty. She contests that her service was honorable from 3 October 1986 – 2 October 1989. After completing her initial entry training, she served in the 82nd Airborne Division for the duration of her military service. While assigned, she successfully obtained the Expert Field Medical Badge. She was never reprimanded or received any disciplinary actions. In recognition of her performance, she received certificates of appreciation from other units for voluntarily providing medical support. 3. A review of the applicant's available personnel records reflects the following: a. On 3 October 1986, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years to serve as a 91A (Medical Specialist). b. Following her completion of the 91A course and the Basic Airborne Course, the applicant was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 307th Medical Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division to serve as a medical specialist. c. While serving on active duty, the applicant was awarded and or authorized the following awards and decorations: Army Service Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge and the Parachutist Badge. d. On 2 October 1989, the applicant was honorably discharged from active duty and transferred into the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement). DD Form 214, item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) reflects: Army Lapel Button, Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Rifle). At the time of separation, the applicant had completed 3 years of active federal service. e. On 11 October 1994, the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Center issued Orders Number D-10-483364 discharging the applicant from the USAR. 4. There is no evidence the applicant received the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. There also is no evidence that the applicant was disqualified by her chain of command from receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal. Records do not reflect evidence of disciplinary actions or lost time. Her records do not contain any adverse information during her military service. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's record of service, documents submitted in support of the petition and executed a comprehensive and standard review based on law, policy and regulations. Upon review of the applicant’s petition and available military records the Board determined there was sufficient evidence to grant award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st award) and his record shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service for the period of 3 October 1986 to 2 October 1989. Based on this the Board determined relief was warranted and granted relief for correction of the applicant’s record to show award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. 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 Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for exemplary service from 3 October 1986 to 2 October 1989 and adding the medal to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 2 October 1989. 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, USC, 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 (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. a. Unit commanders are authorized to award the Army Good Conduct Medal to enlisted personnel serving under their command jurisdiction who meet the established criteria. b. After 27 June 1950, to the present time, the current standard for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal is 3 years of qualifying service, but as little as 1 year is required for the first award in those cases when the period of service ends with the termination of active enlisted Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. c. The immediate unit commander's decision to award the Army Good Conduct Medal will be based on his or her personal knowledge of, and the individual’s official records for periods of service under previous commanders during the period for which the award is to be made. The lack of official disqualifying comment by previous commanders does not disqualify use of the award period by the current commander for awarding the Army Good Conduct Medal. d. In terms of job performance, the Soldier’s efficiency must be evaluated and must meet all requirements and expectations for that Soldier's grade, military occupational specialty, and experience. e. Disqualification for an award of the Army Good Conduct Medal can occur at any time during a qualifying period (for example, when manner of performance or efficiency declines). f. Paragraph 4-8c states in instances of disqualification as determined by the unit commander, the commander will prepare a memorandum stating the rationale for his or her decision. This memorandum will include the period of disqualification and will be referred to the individual according to Army Regulation 600–37 (Unfavorable Information). The unit commander will consider the affected individual's statement. If the commander’s decision remains the same, the records manager will upload the memorandum and the individual statement for filing in the Soldier’s Army Military Human Resource Record. 3. AR 15-185 (ABCMR) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR. The ABCMR may, in its discretion, hold a hearing or request additional evidence or opinions. Additionally, it states in paragraph 2-11 that applicants do not have a right to a hearing before the ABCMR. The Director or the ABCMR may grant a formal hearing whenever justice requires. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210014895 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1