IN THE CASE OF:	

		BOARD DATE:	  14 April 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080017952 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).

THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests that his Army Achievement Medal (AAM) be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

2.  The applicant states that it took awhile for the award to catch up with him.

3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and a copy of an AAM certificate which shows that the applicant was awarded the AAM on 25 July 1991.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.


2.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 11 June 1987, was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 45B (small arms repairman), and was promoted to pay grade E-4.

3.  The applicant’s DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record), Item 4 (Assignment Considerations) has the entry “NOT REC FOR FURTHER SVC (901002)” [not recommended for further service 2 October 1990].

4.  The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 10 June 1991 and transferred to the U.S. Army (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining Reserve obligation.

5.  The applicant’s military records do not contain a recommendation for the AAM or any orders for the AAM.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States, who while serving in a noncombat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-104 (Military Personnel Information Management/
Records) prescribes the policies governing the OMPF, the MPRJ, the Career Management Individual File, and Army Personnel Qualification Records.  In pertinent part, this regulation states that for U.S. military decorations the only acceptable source documentation is the order, letter, or memorandum which awards the decoration.  Award certificates, citations, or separation certificates alone will not be the basis for entry of a decoration.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  While the applicant has submitted an AAM certificate, certificates alone are insufficient evidence on which to base a correction of the applicant’s DD Form 214.

2.  Since there are no corroborating documents to show the applicant was recommended for, or awarded the AAM, there is insufficient evidence in which to grant his requested relief.




BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ___X___  ___X____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      __________X_____________
               CHAIRPERSON
      
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.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080017952



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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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