IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	        30 April 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080017236 


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 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show completion of 12 additional training courses.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that the omission of the additional training courses from his DD Form 214 was the result of administrative error on the part of the personnel clerk who prepared the form.

3.  The applicant provides copies of five certificates of training, five certificates of completion, two certificates of achievement, a certificate of registration, and a certification card showing completion of 12 courses of instruction as documentary evidence in support of his request.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant's military personnel record shows he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve Delayed Entry Program on 9 June 1998 and in the Regular Army on 20 August 1998.  He successfully completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded the military occupational specialty (MOS) 13B (Field Artillery Crewman).  At a later date, he reclassified to MOS 13D (Fire Direction Specialist) and ultimately to MOS 63B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic).  The highest rank the applicant attained while serving on active duty was staff sergeant/pay grade E-6.

2.  On 3 April 2008, a physical evaluation board determined the applicant's medical condition prohibited him from performing the preponderance of his responsibilities within the limits of his profile without creating an unreasonable risk to his health and recommended that he be permanently retired with a disability rating of 30 percent.  Accordingly, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the United States Army Reserve Control Group (Retired) with an honorable characterization of service on 23 June 2008.

3.  Item 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools) of the applicant's DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record - Part II), in pertinent part, shows completion of the 14-week MOS producing Field Artillery Crewman Course in 1998.  This form was most recently reviewed by the applicant on 27 January 1999.

4.  Section VI (Military Education) of the applicant's Enlisted Record Brief, prepared 8 May 2008, is blank.

5.  Item 14 (Military Education) of the DD Form 214 he was issued shows he completed the Airborne Course in 1900 [sic].

6.  Headquarters, United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia, Permanent Orders 122-397, dated 2 May 1999, awarded the applicant the Parachutist Badge for successful completion of Airborne training effective 14 May 1999.

7.  The applicant submitted certificates showing the following:

	a.  completion of the 1-week Commander's Total Fitness Course from 26 July 2004 through 30 July 2004;

	b.  completion of the 1-week Combatives Trainer Course (42 hours – Level 1) from 2 August 2004 through 16 August 2004 (although the period of time is longer than 1 week, the certificate only lists 42 hours of training);

	c.  completion of the 2-week Equal Opportunity Representatives and Cannoneers Care Facilitator Course from 25 October 2004 through 5 November 2004;

	d.  completion of the 3-week Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Course from 2 December 2006 through 18 December 2006 (he also provides a certificate showing that he has been duly registered on the National Registry for EMTs and a card showing that he is a certified Basic EMT);

	e.  completion of the 1-week Combat Medic Advanced Skills Training Course from 18 December 2006 through 22 December 2006;

	f.  completion of the 1-week Military Commercial Driver's License Program and Safe Transportation of Hazardous Material Training Course on 25 June 1999;

	g.  completion of the distance learning Manager Development Course on 9 May 2002;

	h.  completion of the distance learning Supervisor Development Course on 9 May 2002;

	i.  completion of the independent study course for Emergency Preparedness, U.S.A., on 12 August 2002;

	j.  completion of the independent study course for Radiological Emergency Management on 12 August 2002;

	k.  completion of the 16-hour Applied Suicide Intervention Skill Training Course from 13 December 2004 through 14 December 2004; and

	l.  completion of the Resuscitative Medicine Training Program Course on 2 December 2006 (a telephone conversation with a representative at the offices of the Military Training Network revealed that this 16-hour course is taught in a classroom environment over a period of 2 days).

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-104 (Military Personnel Information Management/
Records), then in effect, provided specific guidance for updating the 
DA Form 2-1.  This regulation stated that an entry would be made in item 17 of the DA Form 2-1 for the successful completion of each formal course of instruction resulting in the award of a special skill identifier (SSI)/MOS which makes a direct contribution to the proficiency in a particular SSI/MOS.  This regulation further stated that an entry would be made for successful completion of any course of instruction conducted under military sponsorship or direction if attendance equals or exceeds 40 hours.

9.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The regulation directs, in pertinent part, that the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service.  It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate.  Chapter 2 of Army Regulation 635-5 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214.  It states, in pertinent part, that item 14 shows the Soldier’s military education from his/her records by listing formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214.  This item includes title, length in weeks, and year completed.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's contention that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show completion of 12 additional training courses was carefully considered and determined to have partial merit.

2.  Army policy provides that only formal courses of instruction that equal or exceed 40 hours of attendance are entered on the DA Form 2-1 and DD Form 214.

3.  Evidence shows that the applicant completed six formal courses of instruction which consisted of at least 40 hours of training which are not listed on his DD Form 214; therefore, he is entitled to correction of item 14 of his DD Form 214 to show the following course titles, lengths in weeks, and year completed:

	a.  Commander's Total Fitness Course, 1 week, 2004;

	b.  Combatives Trainer Course, 1 week, 2004;

	c.  Equal Opportunity Representatives and Cannoneers Care Facilitator Course, 2 weeks, 2004;

	d.  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic Course, 3 weeks, 2006;

	e.  Combat Medic Advanced Skills Training Course, 1 week, 2006; and

	f.  Military Commercial Driver's License Program and Safe Transportation of Hazardous Material Training Course, 1 week, 1999.

4.  Evidence shows an erroneous entry exists on the applicant's DD Form 214.  Item 14 of this form shows he completed the Airborne Course in 1900.  Permanent Orders show the applicant successfully completed the 3-week Airborne Course on 14 May 1999.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show completion of this 3-week course as follows:  "Airborne, 3 weeks, 1999."


5.  The applicant provides documentation for six courses which do not meet the established minimum criteria for entry onto DD Form 214.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show completion of the following courses:

	a.  the distance learning Manager Development Course, 2002;

	b.  the distance learning Supervisor Development Course, 2002;

	c.  the independent study course for Emergency Preparedness, U.S.A., 2002;

	d.  the independent study course for Radiological Emergency Management, 2002;

	e.  the 16-hour Applied Suicide Intervention Skill Training Course, 2004; and

	f.  the 16-hour Resuscitative Medicine Training Program Course, 2006.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

____X____  ____X____  ____X____  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the following entries to item 14 of the applicant's DD Form 214:

	a.  Commander's Total Fitness Course, 1 week, 2004;

	b.  Combatives Trainer Course, 1 week, 2004;

	c.  Equal Opportunity Representatives and Cannoneers Care Facilitator Course, 2 weeks, 2004;

	d.  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Course, 3 weeks, 2006;
	e.  Combat Medic Advanced Skills Training Course, 1 week, 2006; and

	f.  Military Commercial Driver's License Program and Safe Transportation of Hazardous Material Training Course, 1 week, 1999.

2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to adding the following training to his DD Form 214:

	a.  the distance learning Manager Development Course, 2002;

	b.  the distance learning Supervisor Development Course, 2002;

	c.  the independent study course for Emergency Preparedness, U.S.A., 2002;

	d.  the independent study course for Radiological Emergency Management, 2002;

	e.  the 16-hour Applied Suicide Intervention Skill Training Course, 2004; and

	f.  the 16-hour Resuscitative Medicine Training Program Course, 2006.



      ___________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)                                         AR20080017236



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080017236



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