RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:	  


	BOARD DATE:	  15 April 2008
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080003777 


	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  




Director



Analyst

      The following members, a quorum, were present:




Chairperson



Member



Member
	The Board considered the following evidence: 

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).



THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests removal of his college transcripts from his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).

2.  The applicant states that he completed an online Associate of Business Administration Degree through Canterbury University online degree program on 14 June 2005.  Since this university was not associated with the Army’s “Go Army Education" [GoArmyEd.com (the Soldiers' online portal to take courses for college credit)] he was unable to use the tuition assistance (TA) and paid the tuition with his own money.  He further adds that in 2003, he was enrolled at Barstow Community College (BCC), Barstow, California, but could not finish his degree due to his military relocation to Italy.  BCC is associated with the Army’s “GoArmyEd.com” and he wishes to finish an Associate of Art Degree through this college.  However, he is unable to use the TA to continue his education at BCC because he already has an Associate degree and his college transcripts are filed on his OMPF.

3.  The applicant did not provide any additional documentary evidence in support of his application.  

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant is a Regular Army sergeant first class (SFC)/E-7 who entered military service on 7 April 1987 and holds military occupational specialty (MOS) 88N (Traffic Management Coordinator).  He was promoted to staff sergeant (SSG)/E-6 on 1 December 2001 and to SFC/E-7 on 1 August 2006.  

2.  The applicant's records further show that on 14 July 2005, he forwarded a copy of his official academic transcripts from Canterbury University, showing completion of an Associate of Business Administration degree to be filed on his OMPF.

3.  The transcripts were received by the Human Resources Command (HRC) Indianapolis (formerly known as the U.S. Army Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center or USAEREC) and were filed in the Performance "P" section of the OMPF.

4.  Chapter 2 of Army Regulation 600-8-104 (Military Personnel Information Management/Records) governs the composition of the OMPF, and states in pertinent part that the performance section is used for filing performance, commendatory and disciplinary data.  Once placed in the OMPF, the document becomes a permanent part of that file.  The document will not be removed from or moved to another part of the OMPF unless directed by certain agencies, to include this Board.  Table 2-1 of Army Regulation 600-8-104 states, in pertinent part, that all enlisted Soldiers transcripts of credit from civilian colleges, universities, trade schools, or business schools are filed in the permanent section of the Performance fiche on the OMPF.

5.  Army Regulation 621-5 (Army Continuing Education System) implements Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 1322.8E and Department of Defense Instructions (DODIs) 1322.25 and 1322.19 and establishes vision, mission, strategic goals, policies, and responsibilities for Army Continuing Education System (ACES).  Chapter 5 of this regulation covers Tuition Assistance (TA).  It states in pertinent part that all active duty Soldiers are eligible for TA.  All eligible Soldiers must declare an educational goal in terms of a credential (diploma, degree, or certificate), certification (national or regional), or licensure.  TA will be authorized for courses required for the Soldier’s educational goal regardless of delivery mode.  TA will pay all or a portion of the tuition and expenses up to the established DOD standardized TA fiscal policy for the Soldier enrolled in an educational institution.  TA is authorized for courses leading to a postsecondary credential, certification, or licensure that are part of a Soldier’s educational goal as outlined in student agreement or eArmyU/SOCAD (Service members Opportunity Colleges Army Degrees) student agreement or degree plan.  A combination of any postsecondary courses will not exceed the authorized annual ceiling established in the DOD Uniform TA Policy guidance.  TA is authorized for courses offered by institutions that are accredited by regional or national accrediting agencies recognized by the Department of Education or courses offered by postsecondary institutions that have been formally recognized as a candidate for accreditation by a regional accrediting association.  No more than one credential from each of the following levels is authorized: 
(1)  High School Diploma (HSD).
(2)  Certificate (includes license, certification, or capstone certification in an area of specialization for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, technical, and license).
(3)  Associate.
(4)  Baccalaureate.
(5)  Master’s or first professional degree (for example, Juris Doctor (J.D.) law degree, Master of Architecture, Master of Business Administration, Masters in Social Work, and so forth.).

6.  TA funds are not authorized for courses or programs leading to a credential that is validated in the Soldier’s official military personnel record.  TA may not be used simultaneously to work toward more than one credential, certificate, or license, or courses leading to a lower or lateral postsecondary credential.
7.  The eArmyU is an online web-based postsecondary distance learning (DL) program (certificates, associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees) developed to help Soldiers complete a degree and available through the web portal eArmyU.com.  eArmyU provides fully funded tuition, (including books and fees), a technology support package including laptop, Internet access, online student support services, help desk, and program mentoring.

8.  GoArmyEd.com is an education web site designed to be a one-stop shop for Soldiers to access ACES programs and services anytime, anywhere with 24/7 helpdesk support.  Soldiers serving on active duty will request all TA online through this web site.  GoArmyEd also provides one location for academic institutions to process credit-bearing enrollments, submit Soldier grades, and verify and prepare invoices for payment.  GoArmyEd also provides one location for academic institutions to process credit-bearing enrollments, submit Soldier grades, and verify and prepare invoices for payment.  It is the virtual gateway for Soldiers to request TA online, anytime for classroom, distance learning, and eArmyU online college courses.  It is a dynamic online portal that automates many of the paper-based processes Soldiers historically conducted with their Army education counselor. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that 14 June 2008 his college transcripts showing completion of an online Associate of Business Administration Degree through Canterbury University should be removed from his OMPF. 

2.  The applicant’s contention and concern over the document in question remaining on file in his records is noted.  However, once a document is placed in the Official Military Personnel File, it becomes a permanent part of that file.  The OMPF is an unbroken record of a Soldier's service, conduct, duty performance, and evaluation periods.  There is no evidence to suggest that the document in question is filed in error.

3.  The Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) does not correct records solely for the purpose of establishing eligibility for other programs or benefits.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant did not submit evidence that would satisfy that requirement in this case. Therefore, he is not entitled to relief.  



BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__phm___  __jgh___  __ksj___  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.




							PHM
      ______________________
                CHAIRPERSON


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080003777



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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
1901 SOUTH BELL STREET, 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON, VA  22202-4508