Search Decisions

Decision Text

ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090012177
Original file (20090012177.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

		IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  22 December 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090012177 


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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his retired rank/grade as that of command sergeant major (CSM)/E-9 instead of sergeant major (SGM)/
E-9.

2.  The applicant states that he was promoted to SGM on 27 November 1965 as the SGM of the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division.  He adds that all the correspondence he receives from the Department of Defense indicates his rank as that of a CSM.  He would like his DD Form 214 corrected to show CSM so he may have his retired military identification card corrected.

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

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant's records show he initially enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 23 March 1948 and held military occupational specialty (MOS) 518.70 (Construction Specialist).  He subsequently executed several reenlistments in the RA, served in various staff and leadership positions within and outside continental United States, and held MOS 11B (Infantryman), 51H (Construction Foreman), and 12B (Combat Engineer).  He was promoted through the ranks to master sergeant/first sergeant (1SG)/E-8 (permanent) on 26 October 1961.

3.  On 12 July 1965, the applicant was reassigned as a company 1SG with his unit, Company B, 1st Engineer Battalion, from Fort Riley, KS, to the 1st Infantry Division, Korea.

4.  On 1 October 1965, the applicant was assigned as the 1st Engineer Battalion CSM and on 27 November 1965 Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, Korea, published Special Orders Number 290, announcing the applicant's temporary appointment to the grade of SGM.

5.  On 18 June 1966, and subsequent to completion of his Korea tour, the applicant was reassigned from Korea to Headquarters, U.S. Army Engineer Center, Fort Belvoir, VA, and was assigned on 6 August 1966 as the S-3 SGM.

6.  On 21 December 1967, the applicant requested voluntary retirement.  His request was subsequently approved and he was honorably retired on 31 July 1968 and placed on the Retired List in his retired rank of SGM on 1 August 1968. 
The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he completed over 20 years of creditable active service.  Items 5a (Grade, Rate, or Rank) and 5b (Pay Grade) of this form show the entries "SGM" and "E-9" and item 6 (Date of Rank) shows the entry "27 Nov 65."

7.  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.  The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty to include attendance at basic and advanced training.  It also states, in 

pertinent part, that the DD Form 214 will be prepared for all personnel at the time of their retirement, discharge, or release from active duty.  The active duty grade or rank and pay grade at the time of separation is entered in items 5a and 5b and the effective date of promotion to the current pay grade (from the most recent promotion or reduction order) is entered in item 6.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record confirms that the applicant was promoted to SGM/E-9 on 27 November 1965.  His records also show he performed duties as a battalion CSM from 10 October 1965 to 18 June 1965 while assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion in Korea.  However, subsequent to his service in Korea, he was reassigned to Fort Belvoir, VA, and performed duties as the S3 SGM of the U.S. Army Engineer Center.

2.  The applicant's service as a battalion CSM in Korea is not in question.  However, the evidence of record shows that at the time of his release from active duty and retirement, the applicant held the rank of SGM, not CSM, and that this rank is correctly shown on his DD Form 214.  There is neither an error nor an injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____x____  ____x____  ____x____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  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.

2.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by him in service to our Nation.  

The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.



      ____________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)                                         AR20090012177



3


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090012177



2


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

Similar Decisions

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100020072

    Original file (20100020072.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant requests correction of his records to show he was laterally appointed/promoted to command sergeant major (CSM)/pay grade E-9. The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: a. item 2 (Grade) - "SGM E9"; b. item 3 (Date of Rank) - "23 Nov 66" (i.e., 23 November 1966); c. item 22 (Military Occupational Specialties [MOS]) he was awarded primary MOS 13Z5O and secondary MOS 15E5O (Pershing Missile Crewman) on 23 November 1966; d. item 33 (Appointments and...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090006052

    Original file (20090006052.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant requests correction of his records to show he was appointed to the rank of command sergeant major (CSM)/pay grade E-9 and that he was placed on the Retired List in the rank of CSM (E-9). The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: a. item 2 (Grade) the entry "SGM E-9"; b. item 3 (Date of Rank) the entry "29 SEP 67"; c. item 31 (Foreign Service) that he served overseas in USAREUR in Germany from 10 September 1966 through 17 September 1969; d. item 33...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100008932

    Original file (20100008932.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he completed over 26 years of creditable active service. At the time of his release from active duty and retirement, he held the rank of SGM, not CSM, and this rank is correctly shown on his DD Form 214. ___________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.

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110010807

    Original file (20110010807.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 22 November 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110010807 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he performed duties of 1SG, Company E, 3rd Engineer Battalion, from 26 March 1959 to 2 June 1961. Army Regulation 635-200, currently in effect, states NCO's holding the rank of MSG at retirement whose records show successful service as a 1SG will be placed on the Retired List in the...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY1997 | 9711643

    Original file (9711643.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

    On 19 March 1993 the 122 nd ARCOM requested that the 271 st Maintenance Company initiate action to remove the applicant from his ART position based on his reassignment from that unit [loss of dual status with the 271 st ]. The official from USARCOM repeated the information concerning the applicant’s assignment to the 271 st , acceptance and appointment as a CSM, assignment to the 810 th , imminent loss of his civilian position at the 271 st , withdrawal from the CSM program, and...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100010914

    Original file (20100010914.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    On 4 December 1973, Headquarters, MOARNG, Office of the Adjutant General, published Special Orders Number 144 promoting him to SGM/E-9 under the authority of paragraph 3a of National Guard Regulation (NGR) 624-200 (Appointment and Reductions of Enlisted Personnel) effective 8 December 1973. The policy for grade determination for computation of retired pay required an enlisted member to serve in the higher grade for at least 185 days to qualify for retirement in that grade. However, 11 days...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140021347

    Original file (20140021347.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The USAR boards convened August 2009 and January 2010. c. The advisory official's statement implies that the applicant's promotion packet, along with the APFT, was not boarded because he had not attended the SMC before turning age 55. To imply that a Soldier cannot attend or complete the SMC because of being age 55 should be a concern for the U.S. Army especially when there is a regulation which states that a Soldier may continue his duties to the military until age 60, or with a waiver to...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070017029

    Original file (20070017029.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    Item 33 (Appointments and Reductions) of the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the applicant’s last appointed grade was “staff sergeant major” [SSM/E-9 (P)] in accordance with the Department of the Army Message 864767, dated 20 May 1968. Therefore, the applicant's rank at the time of his retirement was that of a Staff Sergeant Major (SSM) and this rank is correctly shown on his records. With respect to the applicant's rank at the time of entry into the period of...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090014653

    Original file (20090014653.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant provides a 26 March 2004 statement and summary of her actions, a 2002 duty appointment memorandum, a list of personnel, a December 2002 Noncommissioned Officers Evaluation Report (NCOER), January 2004 release from active duty orders, February 2004 mobilization orders, February 2004 deployment orders, November 2004 active duty orders, a December 2004 NCOER, a December 2004 edition of "The 3rd Word" newsletter, a 2005 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140019413

    Original file (20140019413.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant provides: * a memorandum, dated 8 July 2010, from HRC, subject: Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay at Age 60 (20-year Letter) * emails, dated 5-20 May 2011, concerning his assignment to the 224th MP Company, Phoenix, AZ * a memorandum for record (MFR), dated 15 October 2011, from Division West, Building, McGregor Range, Fort Bliss, TX * two DA Forms 4856 (Developmental Counseling Form), dated 10 November 2011 * a DA Form 4651 (Request for Reserve Component Assignment...