IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 10 March 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100022192 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 to be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) and the Army Achievement Medal (AAM) and that these awards be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). 2. The applicant states he thought a Soldier was to be awarded the AGCM after 3 years of active service and he has 3 years of active service and 4 years of Army National Guard service. The AAM was pinned on his uniform in a ceremony in Germany. 3. The applicant does not provide any additional evidence. 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 29 April 1986, was awarded the military occupational specialty of combat signaler, and was promoted to pay grade E-4. 3. On 13 April 1988, the applicant accepted nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for: a. violating a general regulation by wrongfully operating a privately-owned vehicle without possessing a valid U.S. Army Europe (AE) Form 190-IF (Private Operators License/The United States Forces in Germany); b. with intent to deceive, making an official sworn statement to a captain which was false and known to him to be false; c. wrongfully appropriating a passenger car of a value greater than $100.00; and d. while driving the vehicle at the time of an accident and having knowledge of the accident, wrongfully leaving the scene of the accident without making his identity known. 4. The punishment imposed included a reduction to pay grade E-2. However, reduction in excess of reduction to the grade of E-3 was suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before 10 October 1988. 5. Accordingly, the applicant was reduced from pay grade E-4 to pay grade E-3 effective 13 April 1988. 6. On 24 August 1988, the applicant was reduced from pay grade E-3 to pay grade E-2. The records do not contain documents which show the reason for the reduction. 7. On 25 August 1988, the applicant was given an administrative letter of reprimand for being apprehended for drunk driving with a blood alcohol content of .17 percent on 16 August 1988. 8. On 28 September 1989, the applicant was honorably released from active duty. The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, and Overseas Service Ribbon. 9. The applicant's records do not contain orders for the AAM or AGCM. 10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the AGCM is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service. A record of punishment is not automatically disqualifying. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the AGCM, disqualification must be justified. Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of nonfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond. 11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides that the AAM is awarded to members 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. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. While there is no record of the applicant being disqualified for the AGCM, he took a car without the permission or knowledge of the owner, he drove the car without a military European driver's license in violation of a general regulation, he was in an accident while driving the appropriated car, he left the scene of the accident, and then he made a false sworn statement to an officer regarding the accident. Later, he was apprehended for driving while intoxicated, which appears to have resulted in the suspension of his reduction from pay grade E-3 to E-2 being vacated. 2. Based on the multiple offenses committed by the applicant, it is reasonable to presume he was disqualified for the AGCM, but the disqualification was not included in his records. 3. As for the AAM, there is no evidence the applicant was awarded the AAM. As such, there is insufficient evidence on which to add the AAM to his DD Form 214. 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 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) AR20100022192 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100022192 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1