IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 October 2009 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090009937 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, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show he entered active duty on 2 March 1966 and therefore has 90 days of active duty. 2. The applicant states, in effect, that he was told he needs five more days of active service to be eligible for disability benefits. 3. The applicant provides no additional documentary evidence in support of this application. 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 he enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 March 1966. He completed basic training only and he was not awarded a military occupational specialty. The highest rank that he attained was private/ E-1. 3. On 1 June 1966, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of chapter 9, Army Regulation 635-200, due to unsuitability, inability to adjust to military life. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he completed a total of 2 months and 25 days of active service characterized as under honorable conditions. 4. Army Regulation 635-209, in effect at the time, set forth the policy and prescribed procedures for eliminating enlisted personnel for unsuitability. Action would be taken to discharge an individual for unsuitability only when, in the commander's opinion, it was clearly established that: the individual was unlikely to develop sufficiently to participate in further military training and/or become a satisfactory Soldier or the individual's psychiatric or physical condition was such that a discharge for disability was not warranted. Unsuitability included (a) inaptitude; (b) character and behavior disorders, disorders of intelligence and transient personality disorders due to acute or special stress; (c) apathy (lack of appropriate interest), defective attitudes, and inability to expend effort constructively; (d), enuresis, (e) chronic alcoholism; and (f) Class III homosexuality (evidenced homosexual tendencies, desires, or interest, but was without overt homosexual acts). Evaluation by a medical officer was required and, when psychiatric indications were involved, the medical officer must have been a psychiatrist, if one was available. A general or an honorable discharge was considered appropriate. 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show he entered active duty on 2 March 1966. 2. The available evidence indicates he entered active duty on 7 March 1966 and he served until he was separated on 1 June 1966 under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 and issued a General Discharge Certificate. There is no evidence that he was improperly discharged on this date or that he completed any additional service prior to or after this date. 3. There are no provisions for changing a properly issued DD Form 214 solely for the purpose of establishing eligibility for other programs or benefits. 4. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request. 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) AR20090009937 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090009937 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1