IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  16 December 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140006444 


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 record to show he was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars (correctly known as bronze service stars) and the Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star.  He also requests correction of item 19b (Nearest Relative) (Name and Address - include Zip Code)) of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show his nearest relative as M---- E----- C---- vice B----- M C----.

2.  The applicant states:

* his number of bronze service stars were switched
* Item 19b of his DD Form 214 is incorrect because his ex-wife was not his nearest relative at the time he was released from active duty

3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and orders.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army 27 September 2007.

2.  He submitted a DD Form 214 which shows that on 26 April 2013 he was released from active duty.  He completed 5 years and 7 months of creditable active service.  The DD Form 214 he was issued shows in:

	a.  item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badge, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), NATO Medal, and Driver and Mechanic Badge - Mechanic.

	b.  item 18 (Remarks), shows the following entries:

		(1)  SERVICE IN IRAQ 20080625 - 20090902 and 

		(2)  SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN 20111208 - 20120915.

	c.  item 19b, the entry B----- M C----.

3.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  This regulation states for:

	a.  item 12f, enter the total amount of foreign service completed during the period covered by the DD Form 214.

	b.  an active duty Soldier ordered to deploy to a foreign country, enter in
item 18 the statement "SERVICE IN (name of country deployed) FROM (inclusive dates for example, YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD)."

	c.  item 19b, advise a Soldier that the name and address of a relative should be someone who will know their location and address at all times.  When a relative is not available, use a close friend.

4.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states:

	a.  the Afghanistan Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  The area of eligibility encompasses all the land area of the country of Afghanistan, the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Afghanistan and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles.  The Afghanistan Campaign Medal period of eligibility is on or after 11 September 2001 through a date to determine.  A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign.  His record shows he participated in the Operation Transition I (1 July 2011 to a date to be determined) campaign.

	b.  the Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  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.  His record shows he participated in support of Operations Iraqi Surge 
(10 January 2007 to 31 December 2008) and Iraqi Sovereignty (1 January 2009 to 31 August 2010) campaigns.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in Iraq in support of the Iraqi Surge from 10 January 2007 to 31 December 2008 and Iraqi Sovereignty Campaigns from 1 January 2009 to 31 August 2010.  Evidence of record also shows he served in Afghanistan in support of Operation Transition I from 1 July 2011 to a date to be determined.  Therefore, he is entitled to have item 13 of his DD Form 214 corrected to show the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star and Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars.

2.  There is no evidence nor did the applicant submit any evidence that shows   B----- M C---- was not his nearest relative or close friend on the date of his separation who would know his location and address.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of item 19b of his DD Form 214 to show the name of his nearest relative as M---- E---- C----.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

____X____  ___X_____  ___X_____  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION





BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:  

	a.  deleting the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars and Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star from item 13 of his DD Form 214 and 
   
   b.  showing award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star and Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars to item 13 of his DD Form 214.
   
2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to correcting his DD Form 214 to show his nearest relatives name as M---- E---- C----. 



      ____________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)                                         AR20140006444





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140006444



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