BOARD DATE: 14 May 2013 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120018838 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 award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) and correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 15 July 2012 to show this award. 2. The applicant states: * he served in Afghanistan from 11 July 2011 to 1 April 2012 * at the time his DD Form 214 was prepared he was in the Virginia based Warrior Transition Unit and he was not present to sign * he did not have a chance to proof read the DD Form 214 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 July 2012. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant is a member of the Virginia Army National Guard (VAARNG). On 15 May 2011, he was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). 2. On 15 July 2012, he was honorably released from active duty at the completion of required active service and he was returned to his ARNG unit. The DD Form 214 he was issued at the time shows he served in Afghanistan from 11 July 2011 through 1 April 2012. It also shows among other awards the GWOTEM. 3. On 29 April 2013, the applicant was notified by separate correspondence that he was erroneously awarded the GWOTEM instead of the ACM in recognition of his service in Afghanistan. On 30 April 2013, the applicant responded by requesting removal of the GWOTEM from and adding the ACM to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 July 2012. 4. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the ACM is awarded to members who have served in direct support of OEF. The area of eligibility encompasses all the land area of the country of Afghanistan and all air spaces above the land area. The period of eligibility is on or after 24 October 2001 to a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense or the cessation of OEF. A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign. Approved designated Afghanistan campaigns are: * Liberation of Afghanistan (11 September 2001 - 30 November 2001) * Consolidation I (1 December 2001 - 30 September 2006) * Consolidation II (1 October 2006 - date to be determined) 5. The regulation also states service members qualified for the GWOTEM by reasons of service between 24 October 2001 and 28 February 2005, in an area for which the ACM was subsequently authorized, will remain qualified for that medal. Upon application, any such service member may be awarded the ACM in lieu of the GWOTEM for such service. No service member will be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement or period of service. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Based on the applicant's service in Afghanistan, he is entitled to the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star. Therefore, his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 July 2012 should be corrected to show this award. 2. Records show he did not serve a period of qualifying service for entitlement to the GWOTEM. Therefore, at his request, the GWOTEM should be removed from his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 July 2012. 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: a. deleting from his DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 July 2012 the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and b. adding the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star to this DD Form 214 for the period ending 15 July 2012. __________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) AR20120018838 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120018838 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1