BOARD DATE:	  24 October 2013 

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20130004972 


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, in effect, award of the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) with two bronze service stars in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM).

2.  The applicant states that upon completing demobilization after his recent deployment to Kuwait and Jordan from April 2012 to February 2013 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), he was told he qualified for the GWOTEM for this deployment.  However, he was already awarded the GWOTEM for his deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) from March 2004 to March 2005.  He was told to request that his current GWOTEM be kept and that the GWOTEM he currently qualifies for be changed to the ICM with two bronze service stars.

3.  The applicant provides a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 30 March 2013.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 9 August 2001.  On 8 August 2005, he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) at the completion of required active service.  He was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining service obligation.  The
DD Form 214 he was issued for this period of service shows, among other
awards, the GWOTEM.  It further shows he served in Iraq from 2 March 2004 to 13 March 2005.

2.  Records show he continued to serve in the USAR.  On 12 December 2009, he was ordered to active duty in support of OEF.  On 22 October 2010, he was honorably REFRAD at the completion of required active service.  The DD Form 214 he was issued for this period of service shows, among other awards the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star (bronze service star) and the GWOTEM.  It further shows he served in Afghanistan from 23 December 2009 to 7 September 2010.

3.  On 22 March 2012, he was again ordered to active duty in support of OEF.  On 30 March 2013, he was honorably REFRAD at the completion of required active service.  The DD Form 214 he was issued for this period of service shows, among other awards the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service star and the GWOTEM.  It further shows he served in Kuwait from 29 April to 18 June 2012, Jordan from 18 June 2012 to 30 January 2013, and back to Kuwait from
30 January 2013 to 4 February 2013.

4.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides Department of the Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations, service medals and ribbons, and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments.  It states:

	a.  The ICM is awarded to members who have served in direct support of OIF. The area of eligibility encompasses all the land area of the country of Iraq, the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles.  The ICM period of eligibility is on or after 19 March 2003 through 31 December 2011. A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign.  Approved campaigns include the:

* Transition of Iraq (2 May 2003-28 June 2004)
* Iraqi Governance (29 June 2004-15 December 2005)

	b.  The GWOTEM is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who deployed abroad for service in Global War on Terrorism operations on or after 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined.  The general area of eligibility encompasses all foreign land, water, and air spaces outside the fifty states of the United States and outside 200 nautical miles of the shores of the United States in operations approved by the Secretary of Defense. 

Initial award of the GWOTEM was limited to service members deployed abroad in OEF and OIF in designated specific geographic areas of eligibility, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait.

	c.  Service members qualified for the GWOTEM by reason of service between 19 March 2003 and 28 February 2005, in an area for which the ICM was subsequently authorized, will remain qualified for that medal.  Upon application, any such service member may be awarded the ICM in lieu of the GWOTEM for such service.  No service member will be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement, or period of service.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's request for award of the ICM with two bronze service stars in lieu of the GWOTEM has been carefully considered.

2.  He served in Iraq from 2 March 2004 to 13 March 2005 that entitled him to the GWOTEM for this period of service.  Regulatory guidance allows Soldiers to elect the ICM in lieu of the already-awarded GWOTEM as the representative medal for service in Iraq.  He now chooses to do so.  Therefore, he is entitled to the ICM with two bronze service stars for his service in support OIF.

3.  Evidence shows he further served in Jordan and Kuwait from 29 April 2012 to 30 January 2013 that also entitles him to the GWOTEM.  Therefore, it would be appropriate at this time to entitle him to the GWOTEM for this period of service.  As a result, the GWOTEM should remain on his DD Form 214.

BOARD VOTE:

__x__  ____x____  ____x____  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all 

Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 March 2013 the Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars.



      _________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)                                         AR20130004972



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20130004972



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