IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	        19 MAY 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090002764 


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 her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show completion of basic training and advanced individual training.

2.  The applicant states that her military education is not shown on her DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of her DD Form 214, dated 5 October 2006; a copy of a certificate of completion of basic training, dated 10 March 2006; a copy of an automated DA Form 5286-R (Individual Training Record), dated 2 March 2006; a copy of her legal name change approval memorandum, dated 11 August 2008; a copy of a diploma, dated 21 September 2006, showing completion of the Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer Course; and a copy of a certificate of signal regimental affiliation, dated 21 September 2006, in support of her request.  

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant's records show she enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 4 years on 29 December 2005.  She completed basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, on 10 March 2006, and proceeded to Fort Gordon, GA, for completion of advanced individual training in military occupational specialty (MOS) 25S (Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer).  

2.  On 11 August 2006, the applicant received pregnancy counseling from her immediate commander.  She elected separation from the Army by reason of pregnancy.  

3.  On 30 August 2006, the applicant requested a discharge under the provisions of chapter 8 of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations), by reason of pregnancy.

4.  On 30 August 2006, the applicant’s immediate commander recommended approval of her request.  He also indicated that she had not completed the academic requirements necessary to graduate.  

5.  On 25 September 2006, by memorandum, the separation authority approved the applicant’s request for discharge, waived the requirements for further counseling and/or rehabilitation, and directed she receive an honorable character of service.  He further indicated in his memorandum that the applicant had not completed Initial Entry Training, was not awarded an MOS, and would not be transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve.

6.  The applicant’s records further show she was honorably discharged from active duty on 5 October 2006.  The DD Form 214 she was issued shows she completed 9 months and 7 days of creditable active military service.  Additionally, items 11 (Primary Specialty) and 14 (Military Education) of this form show the entries "None." 

7.  The applicant submitted a copy of a certificate, dated 10 March 2006, that shows she completed basic combat training at Fort Jackson, SC.  

8.  The applicant also submitted a diploma, dated 21 September 2006, that shows she attended and completed the 24-week Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer Course at Fort Gordon, GA, from 3 April 2006 to 21 September 2006. 

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 their 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 the Soldier's military education in Item 14 is obtained from the Enlisted Record Brief (ERB).  It shows the formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 and includes title, length in weeks, and year completed.  This information is to assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills are not listed. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that her DD Form 214 should be corrected to show her military education.

2.  By regulation, training courses for combat skills are not listed on the DD Form 214.  Therefore, completion of basic combat training should not be entered on the applicant’s DD Form 214.

3.  There is insufficient evidence to show the applicant completed the Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer Course at Fort Gordon, GA.  The available evidence shows that while attending advanced individual training, the applicant requested to be discharged by reason of pregnancy.  The separation authority subsequently approved her request and indicated that she did not complete initial entry training and that she was not awarded an MOS.

4.  It is common practice to issue Soldiers completion certificates near the end of the courses or schools in which they are enrolled.  This assists in the rapid out processing of the Soldier.  Due to large number of trainees at training bases, personnel officers and/or operations and training officials often prepare certificates of training and/or completion of training ahead of time with the contemplation that Soldiers would complete such training.  In this case, since the applicant was processing for separation and since no course is entered on her DD Form 214, it appears that the applicant erroneously received this pre-prepared certificate showing she completed training.  However, in the absence of an order or other evidence clearly showing she completed this course and was awarded the MOS there is insufficient evidence to list the course on her DD Form 214.

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.




      _______ _ XXX  _______   ___
       	   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)                                         AR20090002764



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090002764



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