IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 October 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230004085 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the: * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) * overseas service bar (OSB) * shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) – military operations in hostile conditions (MOHC) (formerly known as SSI – former war time service) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * Enlisted Evaluation Report * orders for the Joint Service Achievement Medal (JSAM) * military personnel messages, subject: SSI-former wartime service and OSB for Service in El Salvador * military personnel messages, subject: AFEM for El Salvador 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 served as member of the U.S. Army Humanitarian Medical Mobile Training Teams (MTT) I and II. He ran into a friend with whom he served with who mentioned that service in El Salvador had been declared wartime service and they had been awarded the AFEM, authority to wear the SSI-MOHC, and the OSB. He requests this be included in his DD Form 214 to reflect his wartime service. He just recently learned of these changes, and it would be an honor to be counted as a wartime veteran, as he earned the distinction. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 February 1972. 4. The applicant's DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record – Part II) shows in item 5 (Oversea Service) he served in El Salvador from 19 May to 6 July 1984 and from 17 July to 21 December 1984. 5. The applicant was retired for length of service on 30 June 1993. His DD Form 214 does not show the AFEM, OSB, or the SSI-MOHC as authorized awards. It does show Overseas Service Ribbon (2). 6. The applicant provided orders for the JSAM awarding him the JSAM for service in El Salvador from 25 May to 20 December 1984. This award is shown on his DD Form 214. 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 the applicant’s service in El Salvador meets the criteria for the AFEM. The Board determined this medal should be added to his DD Form 214. 3. The Board noted the OSB and the SSI-MOHC are items of uniform wear that are not listed on the DD Form 214. The Board determined regulatory guidance does not support adding these items to his 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 adding the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to his DD Form 214. 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 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the AFEM is authorized for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in military operations within specific geographic areas during specified time periods. Eligibility for this award includes service in El Salvador from 1 January 1981 to 1 February 1992. 3. Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) explains separation document preparation, distribution, and correction. It states that in block 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), list all federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service. 4. Army Regulation 670-1 (Uniforms and Insignia) governs the requirements for the OSB. It states a bar is authorized for wear for each period of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army outside of the continental limits of the United States for the specific time frames and areas of operation cited in Army Regulation 670-1 or appropriate Department of the Army message. Authorization for wear of the OSB includes service in El Salvador between 1 January 1981 and 1 February 1992. 5. Army Regulation 670-1 governs the requirements for wear of the SSI-MOHC, commonly referred to as a "combat patch." The regulation authorizes optional wear of the U.S. Army shoulder sleeve insignia of any former wartime unit in which a Soldier served during a period of eligibility. SSI approved for wear by Headquarters Department of the Army are authorized to be worn on the right sleeve of the Army uniforms to signify wartime service. Authorization for wear of the SSI-MOHC includes service in El Salvador between 1 January 1981 and 1 February 1992. 6. There are no provisions for entering the OSB or the SSI-MOHC on the DD Form 214 as they are items of uniform wear and not awards or decorations. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230004085 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1