IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  22 July 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100000748 


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 the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).  He also requests correction of item 19a (Mailing Address After Separation) of his DD Form 214.

2.  The applicant states his mailing address is wrong and his ARCOM should be added to his records.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award), dated 15 September 2009, and a copy of a certificate for award of the Army Commendation Medal signed by a colonel.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Army National Guard (ARNG) on 12 December 2003.  He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 74D (Chemical Operations Specialist).

2.  On 17 July 2008, the applicant was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was released from active duty on 30 November 2009 to the control of his unit.  The narrative reason for his separation was "completion of required active service."  He had completed 1 year, 4 months, and 14 days of net active service with 1 year, 6 months, and 20 days of prior active service and 3 years and 15 days of prior inactive service.
3.  Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device.

4.  Item 19a of his DD Form 214 shows his address as "XXXX K____ Drive, Apartment X, Schaumburg, IL."  Item 21 (Signature of Member Being Separated) shows the comment "Soldier not available to sign."  The return address submitted with this application is shown as "X O____ Court, Apartment X, Bloomington, IL."

5.  Section V (Orders Data) of the DA Form 638 shows that Headquarters, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Permanent Order Number 09-267-03, dated 23 September 2009, awarded the applicant the ARCOM.

6.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service.  It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate.  It states, in pertinent part, that the mailing address after separation will be provided by the Soldier and it must be a permanent address.  It further states that the Soldier's signature indicates the Soldier has reviewed the form and accepts the information as being correct to the best of his or her knowledge.  When a Soldier is not available, enter "Soldier not available to sign."

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 be corrected to show the ARCOM and his correct mailing address.

2.  Permanent orders awarded him the ARCOM which is not shown on his DD Form 214; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.

3.  The available records show the applicant was not available to sign his DD Form 214 at the time of his separation.  The regulatory guidance states that the mailing address is provided by the Soldier and his/her signature on the DD Form 214 indicates he/she has reviewed the form and it is correct.  In view of the foregoing, it would only be appropriate to change item 19a of his DD Form 214 to show " X O____ Court, Apartment X, Bloomington, IL."

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 ARCOM to item 13 of his DD Form 214; amending item 19a to read, "X O____ Court, Apartment X, Bloomington, IL"; and providing him a corrected separation document.



      ____________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)                                         AR20100000748



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100000748



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