MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           18 March 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002080318

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. William Blakely		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Jennifer L. Prater		Chairperson	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Member	
	Ms. Margaret K.  Patterson		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, that he be awarded the Skill Qualification Identifier (SQI) of M (First Sergeant).

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he served as first sergeant (1SG) for more than one year, but he was never awarded the SQI of M (1SG).  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his separation document (DD Form 214) and a copy of his retirement orders.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

On 31 December 1997, the applicant was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) for the purpose of retirement.  At that time, he had completed a total of 24 years and 11 days of active military service. 

The DD Form 214 issued to and signed by the applicant on the date of his separation confirms that he held the rank of master sergeant (MSG) and that he was serving in military occupational specialty (MOS) 13B (Field Artillery Senior Sergeant) at the time of his separation.  

The applicant’s Personnel Qualification Record (DA Form 2-1) confirms that he was promoted to the rank of MSG on 1 July 1996.  However, this record contains no entry or indication that he ever served in an authorized 1SG position.  

Army Regulation 614-200 sets forth the policies and procedures for the selection of enlisted personnel for assignment, detail, transfers, and training.  Paragraph 
8-66 contains guidance on the eligibility for award of the 1SG SQI of M.  It states, in pertinent part, that soldiers who have satisfactorily served in a 1SG position for 120 or more consecutive days are eligible to be awarded the SQI of M (1SG). 

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The Board notes the applicant’s contention that he should be awarded the SQI of M (1SG), but it finds insufficient evidence to support this claim.

2.  By regulation, in order to be eligible to be awarded the SQI of M (1SG), a must soldier must serve in an authorized 1SG position for 120 or more consecutive days.  The evidence of record gives no indication that the applicant served in an authorized 1SG position.  Therefore, the Board concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support granting the requested relief in this case. 

3.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__JLP__  __  AAO   _  __ MKP  __  DENY APPLICATION 

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002080318	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	2003/03/18	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	 DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0500	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.