IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 December 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220003985 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the following: * Item 11 (Primary Specialty) – "11A" (Infantry) * Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – National Defense Service Medal, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Badge * Item 14 (Military Education) – Air Assault Course, Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, Airborne Course, and Maneuver Leader Maintenance Course * Item 15a (Commissioned Through Service Academy) – Change from "NO" to "YES" APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * Online DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * U.S. Army Human Resources (HRC) Appointment Order * Parachutist Badge Orders * Air Assault Badge Orders * DD Form 214 * United States Military Academy (USMA) transcript * Airborne Course Diploma * Air Assault Course Diploma * Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course Diploma * DA Form 87 (Certificate of Training) FACTS: 1. The applicant states, in effect, he attended USMA, and, while still in school, he earned the Air Assault Badge; he subsequently graduated and, on 26 May 2018, the Army commissioned him. On 1 February 2019, he finished Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course and was awarded specialty 11A; he went on to complete airborne training, on 12 February 2019, and he graduated from the Maneuver Leader Maintenance Course, on 29 July 2019. None of the foregoing achievements are reflected on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 29 October 2021. Additionally, he believes he is authorized the National Defense Service Medal; however, this too was omitted from his DD Form 214. The applicant states it was customary for his unit S-1 to forward records to a gaining unit, but, because the Army medically retired him, while he was still assigned to the Infantry School, routine records maintenance was not performed. In support of his requests, the applicant submits documentary evidence validating his claimed accomplishments. 2. A review of the applicant's service record shows: a. On 2 July 2014, the applicant entered USMA; on 4 June 2015, orders awarded the applicant the Air Assault Badge and the additional skill identifier of "2B (Air Assault). USMA Orders, dated 19April 2018, directed the applicant's permanent change of station to Fort Benning, GA, and the orders stated he was to report to Fort Benning, on 24 July 2018. b. On 26 May 2018, the applicant graduated from USMA and executed his oath of office as a Regular Army commissioned officer. On or about 3 September 2018, the applicant started the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and he graduated, on 1 February 2019. Fort Benning Orders, dated 1 July 2019, awarded the applicant the Parachutist Badge. HRC Orders promoted the applicant to first lieutenant, effective 26 November 2019. c. On 13 September 2021, an informal physical evaluation board (PEB) determined the applicant was physically unfit for continued military service and recommended the applicant's permanent disability retirement with an 80 percent disability rating. On 15 September 2021, the applicant concurred with the PEB's findings and recommendations and waived his right to a formal hearing and the right to request a Department of Veterans Affairs reconsideration. d. On 29 October 2021, orders honorably retired the applicant, due to physical disability, and, effective 30 October 2021, placed the applicant on the Permanent Disability Retired List. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 3 years, 5 months, and 4 days of net active duty service; the form additionally lists the following: * Item 11 (Primary Specialty) – "NONE" * Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – "NONE" * Item 14 (Military Education) – "NONE" * Item 15a (Commissioned Through Service Academy) – "NO" 3. Army Regulation (AR) 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents), currently in effect, states: a. The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of REFRAD, retirement, or discharge. Source documents for entries include the Soldier's record brief, separation approval documents, and other documents authorized for inclusion in the Soldier's official military personnel file. b. The regulation provides DD Form 214 preparers the following guidance for the completion of entries: (1) Item 11 – Enter the titles of all areas of concentration (AOCs) awarded and held for at least 1 year during the current period of service and include, for each AOC, the number of years and months held. For time determinations, 16 or more days counts as a month. Do not count time in training schools (i.e., Basic Officer’s Leader Course). A primary specialty AOC is awarded by Service school completion. (2) Item 13 – List all federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service. (3) Item 14 – Show all formal, in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 of at least 1 week or 40 hours duration. Include course title, length in weeks, and year completed. The information for this entry is intended to assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; as such, DD Form 214 preparers are not to list combat skills training. (On 29 August 2022, HRC provided clarification for entries in item 14; courses, such as that offered for basic airborne training, are not listed on DD Forms 214 because HRC considers them as combat skills courses). (4) Item 15a – If the Soldier received his/her commission through a Service Academy, DD Form 214 preparers are to enter, "YES." 4. AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), currently in effect, states the National Defense Service Medal is awarded to both active and Reserve Soldiers for honorable service during the period 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined. Cadets of the USMA are eligible upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet. BOARD DISCUSSION: After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined there is sufficient evidence to grant relief. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The governing regulation provides that at separation the service member’s record will be used to enter accurate information when completing their DD Form 214. The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records for historical purposes. The information in those records must reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. The Board determined there is sufficient evidence to grant relief and reissue the applicant a new 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 the evidence presented is 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 issuing the applicant a new DD Form 214 for the period ending 29 October 2021 showing in: * Item 11 (Primary Specialty) – "11A" (Infantry) * Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – National Defense Service Medal, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Badge * Item 14 (Military Education) – Air Assault Course, Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, Airborne Course, and Maneuver Leader Maintenance Course * Item 15a (Commissioned Through Service Academy) – Change from "NO" to "YES" 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. AR 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents), currently in effect, states: a. The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of REFRAD, retirement, or discharge. Source documents for entries include the Soldier's record brief, separation approval documents, and other documents authorized for inclusion in the Soldier's official military personnel file. b. The regulation provides DD Form 214 preparers the following guidance for the completion of entries: (1) Item 11 – Enter the titles of all areas of concentration (AOCs) awarded and held for at least 1 year during the current period of service and include, for each AOC, the number of years and months held. For time determinations, 16 or more days counts as a month. Do not count time in training schools (i.e., Basic Officer’s Leader Course). A primary specialty AOC is awarded by Service school completion. (2) Item 13 – List all federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service. (3) Item 14 – Show all formal, in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 of at least 1 week or 40 hours duration. Include course title, length in weeks, and year completed. The information for this entry is intended to assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; as such, DD Form 214 preparers are not to list combat skills training. (On 29 August 2022, HRC provided additional clarification about entries in item 14; schools, such as the Basic Airborne Course, are not listed because HRC considers it a combat skill). (4) Item 15a – If the Soldier received his/her commission through a Service Academy, DD Form 214 preparers are to enter, "YES." 2. AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), currently in effect, states the National Defense Service Medal is awarded to both active and Reserve Soldiers for honorable service during the period 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined. Cadets of the USMA are eligible upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220003985 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1