IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 February 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220003604 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to reflect award of the Army Achievement Medal (AAM). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DA Form 4980-18 (AAM Certificate), 1 October 1985 * DD Form 214 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 he received the AAM days prior to his honorable discharge, but it was not properly recorded on his DD Form 214. He is not certain how this was overlooked for so many years. It is important that he properly wears his decorations in fraternal and civic organizations for veterans in which he is now heavily involved, such as the American Legion. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 October 1982 and was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 95B (Military Police). 4. The applicant’s DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows in item 35 (Record of Assignments) he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 502nd Army Security Agency (ASA) Battalion, Germany, in MOS 95B, from 24 September 1984 through 21 October 1985. 5. The applicant provided a DA Form 4980-18 (AAM Certificate), which does not contain a permanent order number, reflecting he was awarded the AAM on 1 October 1985, for distinguishing himself by meritorious service as a Military Policeman, while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 502nd military Intelligence Battalion during the period from 28 September 1984 to 1 October 1985. 6. The applicant’s DA Form 2-1 shows in item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award, awarded on 21 October 1985). The AAM is not listed. 7. The applicant’s available service records do not contain orders or a DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) awarding him the AAM. 8. The applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement) on 21 October 1985, after 3 years of net active service. His DD Form 214 includes in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. The AAM is not listed. 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 applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The applicant provides an AAM Certificate which does not contain a permanent order number, reflecting he was awarded the AAM on 1 October 1985, for meritorious service from 28 September 1984 to 1 October 1985. The Board noted that for personal decorations, which includes the AAM, a recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. However, the Board accepted the certificate as sufficient evidence to add the AAM to his DD Form 214. ? 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 that the evidence presented was 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 adding the Army Achievement Medal to his DD Form 214. 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), in effect at the time, established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). a. The purpose of the separation document was to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active service. It is important that information entered on the form is complete and accurate and reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation. b. The specific instructions for preparation of the DD Form 214 state in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) entries will be for all periods of service. Check soldiers’ service records for validity of awards. Do not abbreviate when listing the entries. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides policy guidance on individual and unit awards. The Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States, who while serving in a noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement. 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) AR20220003604 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1