IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE:	  28 August 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140001122 


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 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show completion of a Leadership School at Fort Ord, CA.

2.  The applicant states, in effect:

   a.  His DD Form 214 is incorrect because it does not contain an entry which shows he completed the Leadership (Noncommissioned Officer) School at Fort Ord, CA, during the months of November and December 1953.

   b.  He completed basic training and the Field Radio Repairman School while at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA.  His intention was to go to Officer Candidate School (OCS) and Ranger School.

   c.  Upon completion of those schools he was supposed to attend the Leadership School, but the Korean Conflict officially ended and the leadership class he was supposed to attend was cancelled and he was sent to Fort Ord, CA, for the training.

   d.  Since he was the only Signal Corps trainee in the class, he was put through hell because he was not in the Infantry.  He subsequently graduated with the intent of going to OCS.  At the time, he felt it was very unusual because there were no course completion certificates given out at graduation.  He was told by the school commander that it would show up on his DD Form 214.
   e.  After graduation he was sent to the Sacramento Signal Depot in January 1954.  A few weeks later he asked to see his DD Form 214 to confirm he had completed the Leadership School.  He was shocked to see no record was made of his attendance; however, there is no evidence available to account for the gap in time between his Field Radio Repair School and his arrival at Sacramento, CA.  He received no help in getting the record corrected and he could not go on to OCS without the school, so he gave up and finished the time remaining on his service requirement. 

3.  The applicant provides:

* a self-authored statement
* three letters
* a Release of Information Form
* Field Radio Repair Course Diploma
* Certification of Military Service
* DD Form 214

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 complete military records are not available to the Board for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed that his records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.

3.  His DD Form 214 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States and he entered active duty on 12 February 1953.  At the time of his separation, he held military occupational specialty 1648 (Field Radio Repairman) and his most significant assignment was with the 504th Signal Base Maintenance Company, Sacramento, CA.

4.  Item 30 (Service Schools or Colleges, College Training Courses and/or Post-Graduate Courses Successfully Completed) of his DD Form 214 shows the entry Southwestern Signal School, Camp San Luis Obispo, CA, from 2 May to
22 October 1953 – Field Radio Repairman.

5.  Item 31 (Service Training Courses Successfully Completed) shows he completed basic training.  

6.  On 11 February 1955, he was honorably released from active duty and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining service obligation.  He completed 2 years of creditable active military service. 

7.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of their military service.  Chapter 2 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214.  It states for:

   a.  Item 30, enter service schools, including dates and major courses which were successfully completed; this entry includes military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during the period by the DD Form 214 being prepared.

   b.  Item 31, enter installation training courses (qualification courses), military correspondence courses, and off-duty courses the enlisted person has completed successfully during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The available evidence shows the applicant completed basic training.  It further shows he completed the Field Radio Repair Course in October 1953 at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA.  This is a service school and is appropriately entered in item 30 of the applicant's DD Form 214.

2.  It is possible he attended other training courses; however, his service records are not available for review with this case.  As such, a certificate or diploma confirming his attendance of any other courses or the dates of such attendance is not available for review.  Therefore, unfortunately, there is insufficient evidence to add the Leadership School to his 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)                                         AR20140001122



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140001122



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