IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 19 January 2012
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110014316
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 completion of the Military Assistance Command - Vietnam (MACV) Recondo School.
2. The applicant states he completed the Recondo course and he was awarded the badge.
3. The applicant provides the following documents:
* DD Form 214
* DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record)
* Order authorizing him temporary duty travel
* Completion of Recondo course memorandum
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 applicants 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 applicants 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 28 March 1967 and he held military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman). He served in Vietnam from 4 September 1967 to 1 September 1968. He was assigned to the 71st Infantry Detachment (Long Range Patrol), 199th Infantry Brigade.
3. He submitted a copy of Letter Orders Number 3067, issued by Headquarters, 199th Infantry Brigade, authorizing him travel in a temporary duty status for a period of 20 days, effective 21 April 1968, to attend MACV Recondo School. He also provided a memorandum, dated 11 May 1968 confirming completion of this training.
4. He was honorably released from active duty on 29 December 1969. Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) of his DD Form 214 shows the entry "None."
5. According to the official Army Center for Military History, during the Vietnam War, General Westmoreland noticed a failing of tactical proficiency in squad, team, and patrol leaders during the Vietnam War. Realizing the importance of small unit leaders and individuals who had been separated from their parent units to take action against superior enemy forces, he instituted relevant training to rectify their deficiencies before unit deployment. At the time, the Army sent many of its officers and senior non-commissioned officers to an 8-week Ranger Course. One of the missions of a graduate of the Ranger School was to train his platoon or squad members in Ranger tactics. An officer suggested some of the 101st Airborne's Division Rangers trained personnel start a school for the entire division in Ranger tactics. To emphasize reconnaissance and standard infantry skills, a training school was created and called "Recondo." The Recondo insignia of the graduates of the school would be an Indian arrowhead pointing downwards to symbolize assault from the sky to the ground in the colors of black and white for operation by day and night. The patch would be worn on the graduate's pocket. To avoid confusion, the graduate of the school would be considered a "Recondo" rather than "Ranger" trained. The patch was worn as long as a member was assigned to unit that employed him, mainly in a reconnaissance platoon. The training course was disbanded, however, with the departure of General Westmoreland from Vietnam in 1970.
6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. Chapter 2 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214. It states that item 25 shows education and training completed during the period covered by the DD Form 214. Combat courses are not listed.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
The "Recondo" training is a combat training course that emphasized reconnaissance and standard infantry skills. The applicant's completion of this training is not in question; however, the governing regulation does not allow for an entry of combat skills on the 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.
_______ _ _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) AR20110014316
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110014316
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