BOARD DATE: 5 January 2010 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090012809 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (NCOPDR). 2. The applicant states, in effect, that the award is not listed on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) in support of his request. 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. Having had prior active enlisted service, the applicant's records show he reenlisted in the Regular Army in the rank/grade of sergeant/E-5 for a period of 6 years on 2 October 1985. He served in various staff and leadership positions in his primary military occupational specialty of 63B (Wheel Vehicle Mechanic) within and outside the continental United States. 3. The applicant successfully attended the Primary Leadership Development Course from 7 February to 6 March 1986 at the 7th Army NCO Academy in Germany and graduated. 4. He was honorably discharged on 12 April 1989 for the purpose of accepting an appointment as a Reserve warrant officer. The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he completed 12 years, 10 months, and 18 days of creditable active service. 5. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Wheel Bar, the Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Item 13 does not show award of the NCOPDR. 6. The applicant's records also show he was ordered to extended active duty as a Reserve warrant officer on 13 April 1989. He completed the Wheeled Vehicle Maintenance Technician Course, served in various positions, and was honorably released from active duty on 30 June 1991. The DD Form 214 he was issued listed the National Defense Service Medal in addition to his previous awards. 7. On 1 July 1991, the applicant executed a 4-year enlistment in the Regular Army in the rank/grade of staff sergeant/E-6. He was retired on 7 May 1993 by reason of permanent physical disability. Item 13 of the DD Form 214 he was issued shows he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Wheel Bar, the Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Item 13 does not show award of the NCOPDR. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides for award of the NCOPDR. It was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 and is awarded to members of Active Army, Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers for successful completion of designated NCO professional development courses. This award consists of the basic ribbon with numeral devices of 2, 3, or 4, to signify satisfactory completion of the respective levels of NCO professional development courses. Once a service member has been awarded the NCOPDR upon graduation from the Warrior Leader Course (formerly known as the Primary Leadership Professional Development Course) or Warrior Leader Course-Reserve Component, subsequent appropriate numerals will be awarded to identify completion of higher level NCO Education System (NCOES). Effective 30 March 1989, a member will be awarded the NCOPDR with the numeral which identifies the highest level of NCOES or Reserve Component–NCOES successfully completed as follows: 1=Bar Ribbon Device=Primary Level; 2=Basic Level; 3=Advanced Level; and 4=Senior Level. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The evidence of record shows the applicant completed the Primary Leadership Professional Development Course on 6 March 1986. Therefore, he is entitled to award of the NCOPDR and correction of his records to show this award. BOARD VOTE: ____x___ ___x____ ____x___ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the NCOPDR to his DD Form 214, dated 7 May 1993. _______ _ __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) AR20090012809 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090012809 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1