BOARD DATE:	  5 May 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100026004 


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 the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).

2.  The applicant states he received the ARCOM, but it is not shown on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides:

* DD Form 214
* DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award)
* DA Form 4980-14 (ARCOM Certificate)

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant is a US Army Reserve (USAR) major.

2.  Order Number 08-01-04, Headquarters, 213th Legal Support Organization, Decatur, GA, dated 15 April 2008, shows the applicant received the ARCOM for meritorious service during the period 5 March 2005 to 25 June 2006.

3.  The applicant was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during the period 26 June 2006 through 13 April 2008.  His DD Form 214 does not show the ARCOM as an authorized award because the award recommendation was commenced one day prior to the applicant's release from active duty.
4.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army.  It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provides a brief, clearcut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant requests the ARCOM be added to his awards on his DD Form 214.

2.  The applicant was not awarded the ARCOM until 15 April 2008; he was released from active duty on 13 April 2008.  Technically, the ARCOM is not authorized to be included on the applicant's DD Form 214 with an effective date of 13 April 2008.  However, the recommendation for award was initiated prior to the applicant's release, so as a matter of equity, an exception will be made to include it.

3.  The applicant should be issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) showing the ARCOM.

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 issuing to him a DD Form 215 showing he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.




      _______ _  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)                                         AR20100026004





3


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100026004



2


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1