IN THE CASE OF:  

		BOARD DATE:  4 June 2015	  

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140017191 


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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for the period ending 9 July 2003 to show his service in Iraq.

2.  The applicant states:

* he went to Kuwait in 2003 and then to Iraq
* his last DD Form 214 does not show his service in Iraq
* he retired from the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) in 2013 and he needs this correction for employment purposes
* he served in Iraq from March 2003 to June 2003
* he received the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for his service in Iraq

3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 July 2003.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Having prior service in the Regular Army and Army National Guard, the applicant enlisted in the USAR on 13 October 1998.  He was ordered to active duty from the USAR on 23 January 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

2.  His DA Form 2166-8 (Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report (NCOER)) covering the period November 2002 through June 2003 states:

* he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (February to June 2003)
* he earned the BSM through his dedication and hard work during Operation Iraqi Freedom

3.  On 9 July 2003, he was honorably released from active duty.

4.  His DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 July 2003 shows he was awarded or authorized the:

* BSM
* Army Commendation Medal
* Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award)
* Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award)
* National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award)
* Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon
* Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar
* Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar

5.  Item 18 (Remarks) of this DD Form 214 shows he served in Kuwait from 28 January 2003 to 29 June 2003.

6.  He was assigned to the Retired Reserve effective 8 May 2013.

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

	a.  The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The ICM period of eligibility is on or after 19 March 2003 to 31 December 2011.  A bronze service star is authorized for wear with this medal for participation in each credited campaign.  Approved campaigns include:

* Liberation of Iraq (19 March 2003-1 May 2003)
* Transition of Iraq (2 May 2003-28 June 2004)

	b.  The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (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 (AOE) 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.  Under no conditions will units or personnel within the United States or the general region excluded above be deemed eligible for the GWOTEM.

		(1)  Service members must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in designated operations for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in the AOE or meet other specified criteria.

		(2)  Initial award of the GWOTEM was limited to service members deployed abroad in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in designated specific geographic AOE, including Kuwait.

8.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  It established standardized policy for preparation of the DD Form 214.  The regulation provided that for item 18 for a Reserve Component Soldier deployed with his or her unit during their continuous period of active service, enter the statement "SERVICE IN (name of country deployed) FROM (inclusive dates for example, YYYYMMDD-YYYYMMDD)."

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's NCOER combined with the entry in item 18 of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 July 2003 confirmed he initially deployed to Kuwait on 28 January 2003 and was further deployed to Iraq from on or about 19 March 2003 (the date operations in Iraq began) to 29 June 2003.  Therefore, item 18 of his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show his service in Kuwait and Iraq from 28 January 2003 to 29 June 2003.

2.  As a related issue, he is authorized award of the GWOTEM based on his service in Kuwait from 28 January 2003 through 18 March 2003.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 July 2003 should be corrected to show this medal.

3.  Also as a related issue, he is authorized award of the ICM with two bronze service stars based on his service in Iraq from 19 March 2003 through 29 June 2003 and participation in two campaigns.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 July 2003 should be corrected to show this award.




BOARD VOTE:

____X___  ____X___  ____X___ GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is 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:

	a.  adding award of the ICM with two bronze service stars and GWOTEM to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 July 2003 and 

	b.  deleting the entry "SERVICE IN KUWAIT FROM 20030128 TO 20030629" from item 18 of this DD Form 214 and replacing it with the entry "SERVICE IN KUWAIT/IRAQ FROM 20030128 TO 20030629."



      _______ _  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)                                         AR20140017191



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140017191



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