2.  The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) show that he retired as a result of a permanent physical disability with the retired rank of First Sergeant (1SG) in lieu of Master Sergeant (MSG).   

3.  The applicant was a career soldier who was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant, pay grade E-8, on 
12 October 1983.  On 9 December of that year he was laterally appointed to the rank of First Sergeant.  Records show that he served as a First Sergeant from 1 May 1985 until February 1986.  On 5 February 1986 he reverted to the rank of Master Sergeant. 

4.  On 4 March 1987 a Physical Evaluation Board determined that the applicant was physically unfit and recommended  that he be permanently retired from the service with a disability rating of 20 percent.  

5.  On 8 April 1987 the Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM) published orders placing the applicant on the temporary disability retired list effective 7 May 1987.  The PERSCOM corrected that order the same day, and retired the applicant for permanent physical disability, effective 
7 May 1987.  His retired grade is shown as Master Sergeant.

6.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he was separated because of temporary physical disability in the rank of Master Sergeant on 6 May 1987.  He had 21 years, 3 months, and 23 days of active service.

7.  Army Regulation 635-200, then in effect, concerns enlisted separations.  Paragraph 12-17 of that regulation states that noncommissioned officers holding the grade of master sergeant, E8 at retirement, whose records show successful service as first sergeant, E8, will be placed on the retired list in the grade title “first sergeant”.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was separated on 6 May 1967 because of a permanent physical disability.

2.  Absent information to the contrary, the applicant served successfully in the rank of First Sergeant.

3.  The applicant should have been separated on 6 May 1987 because of a permanent physical disability with the rank of First Sergeant (1SG).  His DD Form 214 should reflect this information.

4.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was separated on 6 May 1987 because of a permanent physical disability and that his retired rank is First Sergeant (1SG).                 

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON