IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 March 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140010188 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 retirement orders (i.e., the orders transferring him to the Retired Reserve) to show he retired as a first sergeant (1SG) vice master sergeant (MSG). 2. The applicant states: a. he should be retired as a 1SG because he was appointed as a 1SG on 10 July 2011, and the DD Form 4187 (Personnel Action) that appointed him to 1SG was lost in transition; and b. before he retired, his common access card listed him as a 1SG. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 7 May 1979 and served until his transfer to the Retired Reserve on 5 July 2013. He completed 34 years, 1 month, and 14 days of military service in the USAR. 2. His record contains an award certificate showing his rank as a 1SG. 3. The applicant's service record does not show he held the special qualification identifier (SQI) "M" for 1SG, or that he completed the first sergeant course (FSC). 4. Department of the Army Pamphlet 611-21 (Military Occupational Classification and Structure) lists authorized SQIs and provides criteria for award of SQIs. Table 12-1 states SQI "M" identifies principal noncommissioned officer (1SG) positions in company, battery, troop, or similar sized units. To qualify for SQI "M," a Soldier must be in pay grade E-7 or E-8 and meet one of the following criteria: a. Successfully complete the FSC conducted under the auspices of the Sergeants Major Academy, Ft Bliss, TX; successfully serve 180 days in a 1SG position; and be approved for award by the battalion commander or equivalent level authority. b. In a short tour/hostile fire area, successfully complete 180 days of service in a 1SG position and be approved for award by the first general officer in the chain of command. Soldiers awarded SQI "M" under these provisions should attend FSC prior to another assignment as 1SG. 5. Army Regulation 140-10 (Assignments, Attachments, Details and Transfers) states eligible Soldiers may request transfer to the Retired Reserve. Soldiers are transferred in the grade they hold at the time of transfer. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence does not support the applicant's request for correction of retirement orders to show he retired as a 1SG. 2. The governing regulation clearly states that possession of SQI "M" is required to retire in grade title 1SG. There is no evidence that he completed the FSC or that he was awarded SQI "M." 3. Although the applicant states the DD Form 4187 appointing him to 1SG was lost in transition, there is no documentary evidence verifying this was the case. In the absence of official documentation showing he met all criteria for appointment as a 1SG and served in a 1SG position, he is not entitled correction of the orders transferring him to the Retired Reserve to show his rank as 1SG. 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 that 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) AR20100020768 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140010188 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1