IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 October 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230002872 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 18 April 1972 to show the following: * he completed Basic Training, on or about June 1969 through October 1969 * he completed Advanced individual training, on or about October 1969 through January 1970 * he completed Officer Candidate School, on or between January 1970 through June 1970 * he completed Guerilla Warfare Training on or between June 1970 through July 1970 * he completed Defense Language Training on or between July 1970 through August 1970 * he completed Special Forces Escape and Evasion on or about August 1970 * he completed a tour in Vietnam under various Corps on or between September 1970 through 18 April 1972 * he served in the U.S. Army Reserves on or between May 1972 and August 1982 APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record Under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552). 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 should be accurate and reflect all of his service time to include his time as an enlisted Soldier, an active duty Soldier, and while in the U.S. Army Reserve. 3. On 27 August 1969, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. 4. On 3 September 1970, the applicant was honorably discharged from active duty to accept a commission as an officer in the Army. His DD Form 214 shows in: * item 23a (Specialty Number and Title) – 13E1O Field Artillery Operator and Intelligence Assistant * item 25 (Education and Training Completed) – Officer School Brigade, U.S. Army Field Artillery School, February 1970-August 1970, Officer Candidate 5. A Certificate of Training shows the applicant successfully completed language training in Vietnamese (Saigon) on 17 December 1970. 6. On 18 April 1972, the applicant was honorably discharged from active duty and reverted to the U.S. Army Reserve. His DD Form 214, as amended by a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), 1 July 2008, shows in: * item 22c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) – U.S. Army Pacific; 1 year, 2 months, 18 days * item 25 – * U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Field Artillery Officer Candidate School, 1970 * U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance, Military Assistance Training, Advisory, Republic of Vietnam, 1970 * Defense Language Institute, Southwest Branch, Vietnamese, 1970 * “JOPN” Training School, “JOPN” Course, 1970 * item 30 (Remarks) – “Indochina: Yes Korea: No RVN [Republic of Vietnam]: 26JAN71-13APR72” 7. DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), 5 September 1969, shows in: * item 13 (Enlisted or Volunteered for) – Enlisted for Officer Candidate School * item 22 (Military Occupational Specialties) – he was awarded military occupational specialty 13E (Field Artillery Operations and Intelligence Assistant) effective 9 January 1970 * item 27 (Military Education) – “Officer Candidate,” “USAFAS [U.S. Army Field Artillery School],” “70” * item 38 (Record of Assignments) – * 4 September 1969, basic combat training * 3 November 1969, advanced individual training * 13 February 1970, officer candidate * 3 September 1970, discharged to accept a commission 8. DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record), 11 May 1974, shows in item 16 (Civilian Education and Military Schooling) the applicant completed the following military schooling: * U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Field Artillery Officer Candidate School, 1970 * U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance, Military Assistance Training, Advisory, Republic of Vietnam, 1970 * Defense Language Institute, Southwest, Vietnamese, 1970 * “JOPN” Training School, “JOPN” Course, 1970 9. DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II), 13 February 1977, shows in item 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools) the applicant completed the following military schooling: * U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Field Artillery Officer Candidate School, 1970 * U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance, Military Assistance Training, Advisory, Republic of Vietnam, 1970 * Defense Language Institute, Southwest, Vietnamese, 1970 * “JOPN” Training School, “JOPN” Course, 1970 10. The applicant’s service record is void of documentation for completion of: * Guerilla Warfare Training * Escape and Evasion Training BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found partial relief is warranted. 2. The Board found that Basic Training is a universal requirement for all newly enlisted Soldiers, and because it is a universal requirement, it is not normally recorded on a DD Form 214. The Board determined the absence of this training on the applicant’s DD Form 214 documenting his enlisted service is not an error. 3. The applicant’s DA Form 20 shows he attended Advanced Individual Training from on or about 3 November 1969 through 9 January 1970, the date he was awarded a military occupational specialty. The Board determined it would be appropriate to document this training on the DD Form 214 covering his period of enlisted service. 4. The record confirms he completed Officer Candidate School on or about 3 September 1970, the date he was discharged to accept a commission. However, the Board found this training is already documented on the DD Form 214 covering his enlisted service and on the DD Form 214 covering his commissioned service. The Board determined no correction is needed regarding Officer Candidate School. 5. The record confirms the applicant completed language training in 1970. The Board notes this training is already listed on the DD Form 214 documenting his commissioned service and determined no correction is needed regarding language training. 6. The applicant’s service in Vietnam is recorded on his DD Form 214 covering his commissioned service in a format that complies with the regulatory guidance in effect at the time. The Board determined no further corrective action is necessary. 7. The Board found no evidence indicating the applicant completed additional training during the period shown on his DD Form 214 covering his commissioned service. The Board determined the evidence does not support adding Guerilla Warfare Training or Special Forces Escape and Evasion training to this DD Form 214. 8. The DD Form 214 is only used to document periods of active duty service. The Board determined there is no basis for amending a DD Form 214 to reflect service in the U.S. Army Reserve that occurred after the end date recorded on the 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 his DD Form 214 for the period ending 3 September 1970 by adding the following to item 25: “USAFAS, November 1969-January 1970, Field Artillery Operations and Intelligence Assistant.” 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 any relief in excess of that described above. 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), 23 January 1967, as amended by change number 15, effective 15 March 1972, prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. a. The general instructions stated all available records would be used as a basis for the preparation of DD Form 214, including the DA Form 20, DA Form 66, and orders. b. The specific instructions for item 25 stated to enter service schools, including major courses which were successfully completed, and military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared. This entry includes the highest level civilian education level acquired during this period of military service. (1) For officer personnel, enter the course of study and education-level tests, if successfully completed, from information obtained on DA Form 66. (2) For enlisted personnel, enter installation training courses (qualification courses), military correspondence courses, and off-duty courses the enlisted person has completed successfully during the period covered by DD Form 214 being prepared. c. The specific instructions for item 30 stated the “Remarks” section will be used to complete entries too long for their respective blocks. Indicate Indochina and Korea service on or after 5 August 1964 by entering inclusive dates of service for Vietnam and indicating "yes" or "no" for service in Indochina and Korea. Where the record reflects assignment to an organization in Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam show "yes" for Indochina. Sample entries are as follows: (1) To show service in Vietnam only, "Vietnam – 25 Apr 70 through 28 May 71, Indochina-yes, Korea-no." (2) To show service in Indochina (other than Vietnam) only, "Indochina-yes, Vietnam-no, Korea-no." (3) To show service in Korea only, "Indochina-no, Vietnam-no, Korea-yes." //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230002872 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1