IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 27 July 2023

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230000188


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  award of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).

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

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), 15 September 2022
*	Certificate of Training, the 1973 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Basic Camp, 
2 August 1973
*	Special Orders Number 110, 4 June 1974
*	Diploma Ranger Course, 9 August 1974

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 may qualify for award of the National Defense Service Medal 
(NDSM) based on his active-duty training in 1973 and in 1974.

3.  On a date unknown the applicant enrolled into the Reserves Officers’ Training Corp 
(ROTC) as a cadet.

4.  The applicant provides –

	a.  A Certificate of Training, which shows his completion of the 1973 ROTC Basic 
Camp for the period 22 June 1973 to 2 August 1973 to fulfil the pre-requisite for entry 
into the senior division ROTC program. 

	b.  Special Orders Number 110, issued by Headquarters, the School Brigade, U.S. 
Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA, which awarded him the Parachute Badge, 
effective 7 June 1974.

	c.  A diploma which shows he successfully complete the Ranger Course at Fort 
Benning, GA on 9 August 1974.

5.  On 17 December 1975, the applicant was appointed as a Regular Army 
commissioned officer. He completed training and he was awarded military occupational 
specialty 11A (Infantry Officer). 

6.  His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows in part in item 9 (Awards, 
Decorations and Campaigns) – no award of the NDSM.

7.  On 30 September 1983, he was honorably discharged from active duty. His 
DD Form 214 shows he completed 7 years, 9 months, and 14 days of net service.

	a.  block 12a, shows he entered active duty this period on 17 December 1975.

   b.  block 13, does not show award of the NDSM. 

	c.  block 12d, does not show any prior active service.

	d.  He was awarded or authorized: Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), 
Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Pathfinder Badge, Master 
Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and Expert Infantryman Badge. 


BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found 
within the military record, the Board found relief is not warranted. +

2.  The Board found that, although the applicant did have periods of active duty service 
during a period of eligibility for the NDSM, his periods of active duty were to fulfill 
training obligations, and therefore the Board determined he did not meet the criteria for 
the NDSM as defined in the governing regulation.


?
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, 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 National Defense Service 
Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 and 
27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, 2 August 1990 and 30 November 
1995, and 11 September 2001 and a date to be determined. During the periods listed 
for Korea and Vietnam, Servicemembers in the following categories will not be eligible 
for the NDSM: 
*	Members of the ARNG and USAR on short tours of duty to fulfill training 
obligations under an inactive duty training program 
*	Any Servicemember on temporary duty (TDY) or temporary active duty to serve 
on boards, courts, commissions, and like organizations 
*	Any Servicemember on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical 
examination

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20230000188


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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