IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 March 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220007968 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show, in effect, award of the: * Michigan Recruiting Ribbon (2nd Award) * Michigan Service Medal (3rd Gold Star) * Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) * Permanent Orders 73-1, State of Michigan, Department of Military Affairs, 25 October 1984 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: * Recruiting Ribbon: he earned this award for his time as an Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) recruiter of the Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) * Michigan Service Medal with Gold Star: He earned this award for his time as an Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) member of the MIARNG * Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award): he was awarded this for his period of service from 1 OCT 1983 - 30 SEPT 1984 3. Having had prior service in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Navy Reserve, with 3 years, 11 months, and 17 days of total prior active service, the applicant entered active duty as a member of the Army National Guard on 13 May 1977. 4. He served through multiple extension, mainly as a Recruiter, and he was advanced to master sergeant/E-8. 5. On 30 June 1993, he retired honorably due to length of service. The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he served in military occupational specialty 00E (Recruiter), and he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device * Army Commendation Medal (5th Award) * Army Service Ribbon * Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2nd Award) * Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral "4" * Army Good Conduct Medal * Navy Good Conduct Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Meritorious Unit Citation * Navy Expeditionary Medal * Combat Action Ribbon * Navy Efficiency Ribbon * Recruiter Badge * Meritorious Service Medal 6. There is insufficient evidence in his available records, and he provides insufficient evidence to show he was ever awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal. The applicant erroneously references the wrong portion of Permanent Orders 73-1. Permanent Order 73-1 consists of two parts: * Part 1 applies to one Soldier who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Second Award) * Part II applies to several Soldiers, including the applicant who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal from October 1981 to September 1984 7. The applicant provides a/an: a. DA Form 2-1 last reviewed on 7 June 1983. Item 27 (Remarks) contains the entry, “Recruiting Ribbon (801021) (Yes)/LM/LOM (2nd Award)” and "MI Svc Medal (9 yrs 840903) (Yes)/3rd Gold Star." b. Permanent Orders 73-1, issued by the State of Michigan, Department of Military Affairs, 25 October 1984, which award him the Meritorious Service Medal for the period 1 October 1981 to 30 September 1984. 8. Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents), states to list all Federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service in Block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized). Do not use abbreviations. Do not enter foreign or State level awards on the DD Form 214. State awards and decorations will be entered on the National Guard Bureau Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service) upon separation from the Army National Guard of the United States. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was not 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 regulation. Upon review of the applicant’s petition and available military records the Board determined the applicant’s records is absent substantiating evidence for award of a second MSM. Additionally, in accordance with regulatory guidance state level awards are not authorized on the DD Form 214. Based upon regulatory guidance and the absence of an award or orders for the award, the Board agreed there is insufficient evidence to grant 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. 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 635-8 establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active-duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. Block 13 states to list all Federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service. Do not use abbreviations. Do not enter foreign or State level awards on the DD Form 214. State awards and decorations will be entered on the National Guard Bureau Form 22 upon separation from the Army National Guard of the United States. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service. After 16 January 1969 but prior to 11 September 2001, the Meritorious Service Medal was authorized to be awarded only for meritorious service or achievement while serving in a non-combat area. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220007968 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1