2.  The applicant requests that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to show his pay grade as E-4 and to show that he contributed to the 
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP).

3.  His military records show that he enlisted with no prior service in pay grade E-1 on 21 February 1989.  In conjunction with his entry on active duty he completed a DD Form 2366, Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 1984 (GI Bill), in which he completed item 3, “Statement of enrollment.”

4.  He was awarded the military occupational specialty of cannon crewmember and was promoted to pay grade E-3.  On 18 December 1992 the applicant’s commander initiated a DA Form 4187 in which he advanced the applicant to pay grade E-4.

5.  On 17 February 1993 the applicant was honorably discharged under the qualitative retention program.  The DD Form 214 he was issued, item 4b, pay grade, shows him in pay grade E-3.  Item 15a, “Member contributed to Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program” is marked “No.”

6.  The VEAP was established and implemented on l January l977, as a contributory education program designed to replace the Vietnam Era (pre-l977) G.I. Bill.  Any soldier entering the service between l January l977 and 30 June l985 was eligible to participate in that program.  The soldier was required to contribute between $50.00 and $75.00 (later increased to $l00.00) for a minimum of l2 months during his or her period of service.  The Army matched $2.00 for each $l.00 contributed by the soldier.  The maximum educational assistance that could be received by the soldier was $8,l00.00 for a 3-year enlistment and $7,200.00 for a 2-year enlistment.  Service must have been under honorable conditions.

7.  The Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB), as outlined in title 38, United States Code, chapter 30, section 3011, provides for soldiers who entered the service after 30 June l985 to be automatically enrolled into the  MGIB and to contribute $l,200.00 during their first l2 months service, which is not normally refundable.  After completion of their service obligation, he or she is entitled to receive up to $300.00 per month educational benefits for 36 months.  The program is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.




CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was advanced to pay grade E-4 prior to his separation.  It appears that his advancement was not entered on his DD Form 214 due to the proximity of his advancement to his separation.

2.  However, his DD Form 214, item 15a, “Member contributed to Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program” is properly marked “No.”  That educational assistance program ended almost 4 years prior to his enlistment.  The applicant has obviously mistaken the VEAP for the MGIB, an educational program for which he did enroll.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was separated on 17 February 1993 in pay grade E-4.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON