How do I amend my DD214 to reflect a unit award that was approved while I was on terminal leave?

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 05:59:40 -0400

And should I bother?

Situation: my very last deployment was as an individual deployer to support SOJTF-A. I was properly slotted on the JMD, and belonged to HQ, SOJTF-A for approximately 5 months of the period for which a JMUA was awarded. According to DoD requirements, I should be fully qualified for this award. However the award was approved and published while I was on terminal leave, and I did not have it on my final DD214.

Now that I am fully retired, my ability to go behind the CAC wall is a bit limited, making things like grabbing the official award order a bit more difficult. I also don't have an S1 down the hall to give said award order to. Complicating things is that I was an individual, not an actual SF guy, and their paperwork tends to be even harder to get a hold of.

So... Anyone have any insight on how I would go about getting a copy of the award order? Google keeps bringing me to HRCs joint awards FAQ which tells me to go to the unit awards page, but I can't seem to find that page.

If I can get my grubby paws on the order, how do I go about updating my DD214 to reflect this award?

And is it worth the effort? I don't really see much of a benefit, aside from "fully accurate records.". The only reason I can think of is making sure my burial uniform (hopefully not for a few more decades) is proper (and a little bit heavier).

Thoughts, RP?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 16 at 2019 6:13 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 06:13:22 -0400

I should add that I know I CAN figure all this out with a lot of digital elbow grease. But I am trying the lazy option first....Yell at the crowd and see who responds.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Apr 16 at 2019 6:43 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 06:43:15 -0400

Need to contact Dept of the Army and apply (along with proper documentation) for a correction of military service records with a DD Form 149. Then sit, wait for the Notre Dame cathedral rebuild and get your DD Form 215.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 10:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 10:53:12 -0400

You can do it, I don't see a point. Unit awards are awarded to everyone in a unit at that time, so you only have to prove that you were in a unit at that time. However, the only people that matters to are in the Army. I was a civilian for a few years after my initial enlistment and what was on my 214 meant less to anyone who asked for it than the fact that I had a 214.
As for your burial uniform, just set that puppy up in your closet for your kids and save them the trouble

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 16 at 2019 10:19 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 22:19:27 -0400

I was in two units that won Unit Citations - the first was the Presidential Unit Citation and the second was the Meritorious Unit Citation.
I treasure them greater than my individual awards, because I was part of two great teams.
Unit citations are issued through the Army's 'General Orders', and are published regularly to the whole Army, Reserve and Guard Units.
You also need to check individual awards, as even though I retired in 1993, I have also been sent orders for awards that I won while I was active which filtered down years after I was Retired Reserve.

Response by SFC George Smith made Apr 16 at 2019 11:58 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 23:58:33 -0400

DD-215