IN THE CASE OF:  

		BOARD DATE:  11 August 2023

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230001305


APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 10 March 1987 to show 
he received the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) and the 
Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar. 

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214 for the period ending 10 March 1987

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 his original range qualification score was inaccurate due to 
range malfunction. Subsequent qualifications while stationed in Panama were  Expert  
level for the M-16 and the hand grenade, but these scores were not recorded at the time 
of his separation. 

3.  The applicant s service record reflects the following information:

a.	On 11 May 1984, he enlisted in the Regular Army.

b.	His DA Form 20 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows in:

*	Item 5 (Overseas Service): service in Panama from 29 January 1984 thru 9 
March 1987
*	item 9(Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) show he received the following 
pertinent awards:

o	Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) 
on 15 June 1984
o	Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Hand Grenade 
Bar on 25 June 1984)

4. His DD Form 214 for the period ending 10 March 1987 shows he was honorably 
relieved from active duty and transferred back to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group 
(Reinforcements). He completed 2 years and 10 months of net service this period. Item 
13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or 
Authorized) shows he received the following awards:

*	Army Service Ribbon
*	Overseas Ribbon
*	Army Achievement Medal
*	Parachutist Badge
*	Sharpshooter Badge with M16 Rifle Bar
*	Sharpshooter Badge with Hand Grenade Bar

5.  His service record does not reflect any orders to show he received the  Expert  
Marksmanship Qualification Badge for the M16 or the Hand Grenade during his period 
of active duty service or any documentation that he qualified for these Bars.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief 
was not warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant s contentions, the 
military record, and regulatory guidance.  Documentation available for review is 
insufficient to show that he received the  Expert  badge for either the M16 or the hand 
grenade. Based on the preponderance of evidence available for review, the Board 
determined the evidence presented insufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. 
 
BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:xx	:xx	:xx	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, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military 
records must be filed within three 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 three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in 
the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and 
administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. Chapter 8, 
paragraph 44 (U.S. Army Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge) states, a basic 
marksmanship qualification badge is awarded to indicate the degree in which an 
individual, military or 'civilian, has qualified in prescribed record course and an 
appropriate bar is furnished to denote each weapon with which he or she qualified. 
Each bar will be attached to the basic badge, which indicates the qualification last 
attained with the respective weapon. Basic qualification badges are of three classes: 
Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman. Basic marksmanship qualification badges are 
awarded to U.S. military and civilian personnel, and to foreign military personnel who 
qualify.

3.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time, states that the 
DD Form 214 will reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the 
records were created. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the 
individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service at the time of release 
from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It is important that information entered on the 
form be complete and accurate and reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of 
separation. 

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	    AR20230001305


1

ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1