IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 9 May 2023

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220010199


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of 
the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the following:

*	item 2 (Service Number) to show in lieu of 
*	item 3a (Grade, Rate or Rank) to show sergeant (SGT)/E-5 in lieu of private 
(PVT) E-2 
*	item 24b (Total Active Service) to show an unspecified amount of time in lieu of 
6 months

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214, covering the period ending 7 May 1960
*	DD Form 256A (Honorable Discharge Certificate), 30 September 1967

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 DD Form 214 contains the following errors:

*	The service number on his DD Form 214 does not match the service number on 
his Honorable Discharge Certificate.
*	The total number of days on active duty is wrong.
*	He was assigned as a lecturer, which required the rank/grade of SGT/E-5. He 
never received the rank.

3.  A DD Form 4 (Enlistment Record-Armed Forces of the United States) shows the 
applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) in the rank/grade of recruit/E-1 on 
30 October 1959, for a period of 8 years, having had no prior service. Item 2 (Service 
Number) shows his service number as 
4.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was ordered to Active Duty for Training 
(ACDUTRA) on 8 November 1959.

5.  A Standard Form 88 (Report of Medical Examination), dated 29 April 1960, shows 
the applicant underwent medical examination for the purpose of release from active 
duty and return to the USAR. His rank/grade are listed as PVT/E-2 permanent (P) and 
his identification number is listed as 

6.  On 7 May 1960, the applicant was honorably released from ACDUTRA and 
transferred back to his USAR unit. His DD Form 214 shows the following:

*	item 2 shows his service number as 
*	item 3a shows his rank/grade as PVT/E-2
*	item 3b (Date of Rank) reflects 1 March 1960
*	item 24a(1) (Net Service this Period) shows 6 months
*	item 24b shows his total active service as 6 months

7.  A DD Form 44 (Record of Military Status of Registrant), dated 31 May 1960, shows 
the following:

*	the applicant’s rank is shown as PVT
*	his service number is shown as 
*	he completed a period of ACDUTRA from 8 November 1959 through 7 May 1960

8.  A DD Form 220 (Active Duty Report), dated 17 September 1961, shows the 
following:

*	the applicant’s service number is shown as 
*	his rank/grade is shown as private first class (PFC)/E-3
*	he completed a period of ACDUTRA from 3 September 1961 through 
17 September 1961

9.  Headquarters, XV United States Army Corps Reserve Special Orders Number 145, 
dated 26 July 1962, reassigned the applicant within the USAR effective 1 August 1962. 
The orders reflect his service number as and his rank/grade as 
PFC/E-3.

10.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the following:

*	his service number is shown as 
*	his rank/grade is PVT/E-2
*	he began Basic Combat Training (BCT) on 12 November 1959 and was released 
from ACDUTRA and returned to the USAR on 7 May 1960
*	he was reassigned to the USAR Ready Reserve effective 1 August 1962 in the 
rank/grade of PFC/E-3

11.  Headquarters, 6215th U.S. Army Garrison Special Orders Number 2, dated 
18 February 1963, reduced the applicant in rank/grade to PVT (E-2) effective 
18 February 1963 due to misconduct.

12.  Headquarters, XV U.S. Army Corps Letter Order Number 09-00618, dated 25 
September 1963, transferred the applicant from the USAR Control Group (Annual 
Training to the USAR Control Group (Standby) effective 27 September 1963. His 
service number is shown on the orders as and his rank is shown as PFC.

13.  The applicant provided an Honorable Discharge Certificate, which shows he was 
honorably discharged from the Army of the United States on 30 September 1967. His 
service number is shown as, his rank as PVT, and his component as the USAR.

14.  There are no orders or other documents in the applicant’s available records 
reflecting his promotion to the rank/grade of SGT/E-5.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within 
the military record, the Board found that relief was partially warranted. The applicant’s 
contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered.

	a.  The applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve/Enlisted Reserve on 30 October 
1959. It appears his Service Number was erroneously entered with incorrect prefix “FR” 
instead of the authorized prefix “ER” which stands for Enlisted Reserve. His DD Form 
214 should be corrected to reflect the correct prefix.

	b.  The evidence of record shows the applicant entered active duty for training 
(ACDUTRA) on 8 November 1959 and was honorably released from ACDUTRA on 7 
May 1960 and transferred back to his USAR unit. His DD Form 214 shows his 
rank/grade as PVT/E-2 and he completed 6 months of active service. There is no 
evidence he was promoted to SGT/E-5 during his active service. Likewise, aside from 
his ACDUTRA, there is no evidence he completed any other period of active service 
that warranted the issuance of another DD Form 214. 

?
BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:X	:X	:X	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a 
recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all 
Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending 
Block 2 (Service Number) to show the prefix “ER” vice “FR.”  

2.  The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a 
portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of 
the application that pertains to changing his rank/grade or total active service on the 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 Forms), in effect at the time, prescribes the 
forms to be used in the separation of Army personnel, to include the DD Form 214 
(Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 

     a.  The general instructions for the preparation of the DD Form 214 state the purpose 
of the DD Form 214 is to provide documentary evidence of active military service. All 
available records will be used as a basis for the preparation of the DD Form 214. 

     b.  The specific instructions for preparation of the DD Form 214 state the following:

*	item 2 (Service Number) enter the individual’s service number and authorized 
prefix
*	item 3a (Grade, Rate, or Rank) enter grade in which service at the time of 
separation, indicating whether permanent or temporary; pay grade will also be 
shown
*	item 24b (Total Active Service) enter total active service the individual has 
completed beginning with the earliest period of active service up to and including 
the current period of active duty, less any period served as a Reservist not on 
active duty and less time loss.

3.  Army Regulation 600-2 (Personnel – General – Name, Service Number, and Birth 
Data), in effect at the time of the applicant’s enlistment, established the method of 
recording names and service numbers on the DD Form 214. Appendix II (Prefixes), item 
4 (Enlisted Personnel) addressed service number prefixes. The appendix shows the 
following:

     a.  The service number prefix "FR" applied to members of the U.S. Army Reserve 
(USAR) enlisted under section 261 of the Armed Forces Reserve Act (AFRA), for 6 
years including 2 years active duty, and members of the USAR enlisted under section 
262, AFRA, for 8 years, including Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) for a period of not 
less than 3 or more than 6 months.

     b.  The service number prefix "ER" applied to prior service members of the USAR 
including those transferred from the Army of the United States, Regular Army, or 
National Guard of the United States and those (age 26 years or over) who enlisted for 
3 years with no service obligations under the Universal Military Training and Service 
Act. 

     c.  Change Number 1, to Army Regulation 600-2, dated 3 October 1962, rescinded 
the use of the service number prefix "FR."

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20220010199


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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