IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  3 September 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20150001289 


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 duplicate applications, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show he was awarded the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal and the "Commissioned Officers Association" Ribbon.

2.  The applicant states that his Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) shows these awards; however, neither is shown on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides:

* DD Form 293 (Application for the Review or Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States)
* Deployment, Amendment, and Reassignment Orders
* ERB
* DD Form 214, dated 17 July 2014
* DA Form 31 (Request and Authorization for Leave), dated 21 March 2014
* DD Form 1299 (Application for Shipment and/or Storage for Personal Property), dated 6 May 2014
* DD Form 1252 (US Customs and Border Protection Declaration for Personal Property Shipments
* DD Form 1797 (Personal Property Counseling Checklist), dated 3 March 2014
* Household Goods Description Inventory
* 
Memorandum for Record, dated 17 July 2014
* VA Form 21-0781 (Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
* Copies of Photographs

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 19 February 2009.  He completed training as a signal support systems specialist.

2.  He arrived in Afghanistan on 15 February 2011.  He departed Afghanistan 
en-route to Germany on 15 February 2012.

3.  On 17 July 2014, the applicant was honorably released from active duty upon completion of his required active service.  His DD Form 214 shows the following awards:

* Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars
* Army Commendation Medal
* Army Achievement Medal
* Meritorious Unit Commendation
* Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award)
* National Defense Service Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award)

4.  Section VIII on the applicant's ERB shows he was also awarded the NATO Medal and a "COA," which is the standard Army abbreviation for Certificate of Achievement.  It is not the standard Army abbreviation for the Commissioned Officers Association Ribbon as referred to by the applicant.

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the following missions/operations have been approved by the Secretary of Defense for acceptance and wear of the NATO Medal:  

* Operations related to the former Republic of Yugoslavia (14 November 1995 to a date to be determined)
* Operations related to Kosovo (13 October 1998 to a date to be determined)
* Operation EAGLE ASSIST (12 October 2001 to 16 May 2002)
* Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR (26 October 2001 to a date to be determined)
* International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (1 June 2003 to a date to be determined)
* Operations in the Balkans (1 January 2003 to a date to be determined) 

6.  Acceptance of the NATO Medal has been approved for U.S. military personnel who serve under NATO command or operational control in direct support of the above NATO operations.  The NATO Medal will normally be presented by the Allied Command Europe headquarters exercising operational command or control over U.S. military units or individuals prior to their departure from service with NATO.  U.S. service members are authorized to retain the ribbon clasp presented but may not wear the clasp.

7.  Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) states that all federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service will be listed in block 13 on the DD Form 214.  This regulation further states that certificates of achievement, letters of commendation, and similar documents are not recorded on the DD Form 214.  The Commissioned Officers Association Ribbon to which the applicant refers is not a federally recognized award.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's contentions have been noted.  

2.  The Commissioned Officers Association Ribbon is not a federally recognized award; therefore, it is properly not listed on his DD Form 214.  It appears the applicant meant to request that a Certificate of Achievement be listed on his DD Form 214.  Certificates of achievement, letters of commendation, and similar documents are not recorded on the DD Form 214.

3.  There is no certificate contained in the applicant's official records showing he was awarded the NATO Medal.  However, the NATO Medal is listed on his ERB and he did serve in Afghanistan during an authorized period.  According to the applicable regulation, this award should be added on his DD Form 214.








BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

____X____  ___X_____  ___X_____  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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 amending item 13 on his DD Form 214 to add the NATO Medal.

2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented was 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 amending his DD Form 214 to add the Commissioned Officers Association Ribbon or a Certificate of Achievement.



      _______ _   _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)                                         AR20150001289



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20150001289



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