IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  11 June 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140018905 


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 his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be corrected by adding his award of the German Marksmanship Badge (Schuetzenschnur) in Bronze.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, he received this award and would like it added to his DD Form 214. 

3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and an untranslated copy of his Schuetzenschnur award certificate. 

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 11 August 2008.  After completing initial training, he was awarded military occupational specialty 19K (M1 Armor Crewman).  The highest rank/grade held was specialist/E-4.

2.  He was discharged from active duty on 10 October 2014.  His DD Form 214 shows he completed 6 years and 2 months of net active creditable service.  He was awarded or authorized:

* Army Commendation Medal
* Army Good Conduct Medal
* National Defense Service Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
* Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award)

3.  His official military personnel file (OMPF) is void of any entries showing the award of a German Marksmanship Badge.

4.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes policies and procedures for military awards.  It states, in pertinent part:

	a.  Qualification and special skill badges may be accepted if awarded in recognition of meeting the criteria, as established by the foreign government concerned, for the specific award.

	b.  Only those badges that are awarded in recognition of military activities and by the military department of the host country are authorized for acceptance and permanent wear. 

	c.  Badges that do not meet these criteria may be authorized for acceptance but not for wear, and will not be entered in the official military records of the recipient.

	d.  Commanders in the rank of brigadier general or higher, or colonel-level commanders who exercise general court-martial convening authority are delegated authority to approve the acceptance, retention, and permanent wear of foreign badges (emphasis added).

	e.  Table D-1 (Foreign Badges) of Appendix D shows the German Army Marksmanship Badge and appears to add a note showing the levels of Bronze, Silver, and Gold.  It also cites Note 1, which essentially states the award is honorary; unless otherwise specified, the award may only be accepted and retained but not worn on the uniform (emphasis added).  Accompanying documents must be read very carefully. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant requests the addition to his DD Form 214 of a foreign award, the German Marksmanship Bronze Schuetzenschnur.

2.  Regulatory guidance states the German Marksmanship Badge is an honorary award.  For acceptance, retention, and permanent wear, the award requires approval by a commander in the rank of brigadier general or colonel authorized general court-martial convening authority.  While he provides a copy of the award certificate, he does not offer any evidence this award was approved by proper U.S. Army authority.  Additionally, his OMPF is void of any reference to this award.

3.  Based on the foregoing, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief.

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)                                         AR20140018905





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140018905



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