https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN43532-AR_15-34-000-WEB-1.pdf
UNCLASSIFIED
Army Regulation 15–34
Boards, Commissions, and
Committees
Department of
the Army
Individual
Service
Review Board
Headquarters
Department of the Army
Washington, DC
19 March 2021
SUMMARY of CHANGE
AR 15– 34
Department of the Army Individual Service Review Board
This regulation is certified current as of 19 March 2021. Aside from the following administrative changes, no other
changes were made to certify currency of this regulation—
o Updates suggested improvements (title page).
o Adds records management (recordkeeping) requirement (para 1–5).
o Updates references (app A).
This major revision, dated 18 July 2017—
o Updates responsibilities and assigns applications approval authority for the Department of the Army Individual
Service Review Board to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Human Resources Command (para 4).
o Adds internal control evaluation (app B).
*This regulation supersedes AR 15-34, dated 18 July 2017.
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021
UNCLASSIFIED i
Headquarters
Department of the Army
Washington, DC
*Army Regulation 15–34
19 March 2021 Effective 18 August 2017
Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Department of the Army Individual Service Review Board
History. This regulation is certified cur-
rent as of 19 March 2021. Aside from the
administrative changes listed in the sum-
mary of change, no other changes were
made to certify currency of this regula-
tion. No content has been changed.
Summary. This revision implements
DoDD 1000.20 and updates the member-
ship composition of the establishment of
the Department of the Army Individual
Service Review Board. This regulation
discusses the Board’s procedures for de-
termining an applicant’s eligibility for
Veterans’ Administration benefits and is-
suance of an Army discharge for service
rendered to the Armed Forces.
Applicability. This regulation applies
to the Regular Army, the Army National
Guard/Army National Guard of the
United States, and the U.S. Army Re-
serve, unless otherwise stated.
Proponent and exception authority.
The proponent of this regulation is the
Deputy Chief of Staff, G– 1. The propo-
nent has the authority to approve excep-
tions or waivers to this regulation that are
consistent with controlling law and regu-
lations. The proponent may delegate this
approval authority, in writing, to a divi-
sion chief within the proponent agency or
its direct reporting unit or field operating
agency, in the grade of colonel or the ci-
vilian equivalent. Activities may request a
waiver to this regulation by providing jus-
tification that includes a full analysis of
the expected benefits and must include
formal review by the activity’s senior le-
gal officer. All waiver requests will be en-
dorsed by the commander or senior leader
of the requesting activity and forwarded
through their higher headquarters to the
policy proponent. Refer to AR 25 – 30 for
specific guidance.
Army internal control process.
This regulation contains internal control
provisions in accordance with AR 11 –2
and identifies key internal controls that
must be evaluated (see appendix B).
Supplementation. Supplementation
of this regulation and establishment of
command and local forms are prohibited
without prior approval from the Com-
manding General, U.S. Army Human Re-
sources Command (AHRC– PDR), 1600
Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox,
KY 40122– 5402.
Suggested improvements. Users
are invited to send comments and sug-
gested improvements on DA Form 2028
(Recommended Changes to Publications
and Blank Forms) directly to the
USARMY HUMAN RESOURCES
COMMAND inbox at
usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.g3-publica-
tions@mail.mil.
Distribution. This regulation is availa-
ble in electronic media only and is in-
tended for the Regular Army, the Army
National Guard/Army National Guard of
the United States, and the U.S. Army Re-
serve.
Contents (Listed by paragraph and page number)
Purpose • 1, page 1
References and forms • 2, page 1
Explanation of abbreviations and terms • 3, page 1
Responsibilities • 4, page 1
Records management (recordkeeping) requirements • 5, page 1
Board location • 6, page 1
Background • 7, page 2
Board composition and control • 8, page 2
Initial applications • 9, page 2
Action on approved applications • 10, page 2
Disapproved applications • 11, page 3
Contents—Continued
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 ii
Reconsideration • 12, page 3
Appendixes
A. References, page 4
B. Internal Control Evaluation, page 6
Glossary
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 1
1. Purpose
This regulation prescribes policies for determining an applicant’s membership in a civilian or contractual group whose
services rendered to the Armed Forces is considered active military service. This determination is made to establish
an individual’s entitlement to Veterans Administration (VA) benefits and the issuance of an Army discharge. Addi-
tionally, this regulation sets forth the method of submitting applications for determination and reconsideration of dis-
approved applications.
2. References and forms
See appendix A.
3. Explanation of abbreviations and terms
See glossary.
4. Responsibilities
The Deputy Chief of Staff, G– 1 will ensure that—
a. The Commanding General (CG), U.S. Army Human Resources Command (USAHRC) will—
(1) Appoint members to the Department of the Army (DA) Individual Service Review Board (ISRB) and determine
their terms of service.
(2) Appoint the chairperson from members of the Board.
(3) Notify applicants promptly of the Board’s decisions.
(4) Ensure the Chief, Army Personnel Records Division (APRD) issues separation documents if the Board’s deci-
sion is positive.
(5) Send necessary correspondence.
(6) Issue DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) to include military pay grade when a member whose application was
approved was killed during the period of equivalent active military service.
(7) Complete official military personnel file for individuals whose applications have been approved by the Board.
The CG, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR) will send the record for maintenance to the National Personnel Records Center,
General Services Administration, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138– 1002.
(8) The authority outlined in paragraph 4a(4) is delegated to the Adjutant General and the Chief, APRD, the Ad-
jutant General Directorate, USAHRC. The delegation to the Chief, APRD, is only effective if the Chief, APRD, is in
the rank of colonel or above.
b. The DA ISRB, referred to throughout this regulation as “the Board,” will—
(1) Convene at the call of CG, USAHRC.
(2) Choose an acting chairperson from members of the Board to serve in the absence of the appointed chairperson.
(3) Consider, in closed session, applications from individuals (or the survivor of those individuals) who claim to
be former members of groups that have rendered military service.
(4) Make findings on the basis of the evidence and all information available.
(5) Determine if the applicant was a member of a certified group during the dates of its qualification. Also, the
Board will determine whether the application for discharge should be approved or disapproved.
(6) Determine if the service warrants an honorable discharge or a discharge under honorable conditions in cases
where an application is approved.
(7) Determine the equivalent pay grade of the applicant when appropriate (see para 9).
5. Records management (recordkeeping) requirements
The records management requirement for all record numbers, associated forms, and reports required by this regulation
are addressed in the Army Records Retention Schedule-Army (RRS– A). Detailed information for all related record
numbers, forms, and reports are located in Army Records Information Management System (ARIMS)/RRS– A at
https://www.arims.army.mil. If any record numbers, forms, and reports are not current, addressed, and/or published
correctly in ARIMS/RRS– A, see DA Pam 25– 403 for guidance.
6. Board location
This regulation establishes the DA ISRB at USAHRC (AHRC– PDR), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox,
KY 40122 – 5402. This regulation has been approved by the Department of the Army Committee Management Officer.
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 2
7. Background
a. Public Law 95 – 202, Section 401, as amended, directs the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) to determine whether
civilian employment or contractual service by groups for the Armed Forces should be considered active military ser-
vice.
b. The SECDEF has delegated to—
(1) The Secretary of the Air Force the authority to determine if the service of groups constitutes active military
service. (The Air Force thus established the DoD Civilian and/or Military Service Review Board and Advisory Panel.)
(2) The Secretary of the Army and other Department Secretaries have the authority to issue discharges to individ-
uals who were members of such groups.
8. Board composition and control
a. The Board will consist of at least three voting members appointed by the CG, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR).
b. Membership will include one nonvoting recorder, who will keep a record of the Board’s action on each applica-
tion.
c. The Board will consist of military members on active duty and civilian employees. Military members must be
in grades O4 (major) for officers and E– 8 for enlisted (master sergeant or higher). Civilians must be full-time employ-
ees in the grade of general schedule-11 or higher.
d. The chairperson will be designated by the CG, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR). The acting chairperson will serve in
the chairperson’s absence.
e. A Board of four persons must be maintained at all times. As many additional members as needed may be ap-
pointed to the Board. In any proceeding before the Board, a member who was absent from a prior session of the Board
may participate thereafter if that member has reviewed the record of the prior proceedings.
9. Initial applications
a. Applications should be submitted on DD Form 2168 (Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of
Member of Group Certified to Have Performed Active Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States) or by letter
to the Commanding General, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY
40122 – 5402 (usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-aprd-hq@mail.mil). Application forms are available at the above address.
b. The application must include thorough evidence to establish the individual’s participation as a group member.
Documentation may include, but is not limited to the following:
(1) Mission orders.
(2) Identification cards.
(3) Contracts or personnel action forms.
(4) Employment records.
(5) Pay vouchers.
(6) Certificates of awards.
(7) Casualty information.
(8) Any other supporting evidence of membership of kind of service performed. Applications should be as com-
plete as possible. The burden of proof is on the applicant.
c. Personal appearance before the Board is not authorized. The applicant will not be permitted to present witnesses
in his or her behalf.
d. No expenses incurred by the applicant or by any person in his or her behalf will be paid by the Government.
e. The application must be signed by the individual claiming membership in a group approved for active military
service. If the member is deceased, the application must be signed by the next of kin or legal representative. Legal
proof of death must accompany the application. If the applicant is mentally incompetent, their spouse, next of kin, or
legal guardian will sign the application. Legal proof of mental incompetence must accompany such applications.
10. Action on approved applications
a. The CG, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR) will ensure that approved applicants (or survivors of those applicants) are
issued—
(1) DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), per AR 635– 8.
(2) DD Form 256A (Honorable Discharge Certificate), per AR 635– 200.
b. A pay grade is needed only when the individual was killed or received service-related injuries or disease during
the equivalent military service period. It is needed to obtain VA benefits.
(1) A DD Form 214 may not include the pay grade unless individually requested by the VA.
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 3
(2) When requested by the VA, the Board will determine the equivalent pay grade. Equivalent rank or grade must
have been officially recognized.
(a) If there is no equivalent military rank, then, for Government employees, the corresponding rank will be the
comparable civilian pay grade.
(b) If paragraphs 9(a) and 9(b) do not apply, one of three grades may be issued. They are O1, E4, or E1. The
selection of grade will depend on the job performed, the level of supervision exercised, and military privileges.
11. Disapproved applications
All applications disapproved by the Board will be submitted to the CG, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR) for final decisions.
If the Board’s decision is upheld, the CG, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR), will notify the applicant of the disapproval and
the reasons. If the CG, USAHRC (AHRC– PDR) approves the application, necessary action will be taken per para-
graph 9.
12. Reconsideration
The Board will reconsider applications only when the applicant presents new, relevant evidence. Evidence must not
have been previously considered by the Board.
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 4
Appendix A
References
Section I
Required Publications
Unless otherwise indicated, all Army publications are available on the Army Publishing Directorate
website at https://armypubs.army.mil.
AR 635– 8
Separation Processing and Documents (Cited in para 10a(1).)
Public Law 95 – 202
GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (Available at https://www.govinfo.gov.) (Cited in para 7a.)
Section II
Related Publications
A related publication is a source of additional information. The user does not have to read it to understand this publi-
cation. Unless otherwise indicated, all Army publications are available on the Army Publishing Directorate website at
https://armypubs.army.mil.
AR 11– 2
Managers’ Internal Control Program
AR 25– 30
Army Publishing Program
AR 635– 200
Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations
DA Pam 25– 403
Guide to Recordkeeping in the Army
DoDD 1000.20
Active Duty Service Determinations for Civilian or Contractual Groups (Available at https://www.esd.whs.mil.)
Section III
Prescribed Forms
This section contains no entries.
Section IV
Referenced Forms
Unless otherwise indicated, DA forms are available on the Army Publishing Directorate website
(https://armypubs.army.mil); DD forms are available on the Executive Services Directorate (ESD) website
(https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/).
DA Form 11 – 2
Internal Control Evaluation Certification
DA Form 2028
Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms
DD Form 214
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
DD Form 256A
Honorable Discharge Certificate
DD Form 1300
Report of Casualty
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 5
DD Form 2168
Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group Certified to Have Performed Active Duty with
the Armed Forces of the United States
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 6
Appendix B
Internal Control Evaluation
B–1. Function
The function covered by this evaluation is ISRB.
B–2. Purpose
The purpose of this evaluation is to assist (indicate the intended users) in evaluating the key internal controls listed. It
is intended as a guide and does not cover all controls.
B–3. Instructions
Answers must be based on the actual testing of key internal controls (for example, document analysis, direct observa-
tion, sampling, simulation, or other). Answers that indicate deficiencies must be explained and the corrective action
identified in supporting documentation. These internal controls must be evaluated at least once every 5 years. Certifi-
cation that the evaluation has been conducted must be accomplished on DA Form 11 – 2 (Internal Control Evaluation
Certification).
B–4. Test questions
a. Are all requirements listed or included in this regulation to meet requirements to qualify for this Board?
b. Is the process for application clear and simple?
c. Are Board procedures outlined for simple understanding of how credit and documents are awarded to applicants?
d. Are Board minutes prepared and approved by the Chief, APRD?
e. Are DD Forms 214 being prepared for eligible Veterans?
f. Are DD Forms 256A being prepared for eligible Veterans?
B–5. Supersession
This evaluation replaces the evaluation(s) for ISRB previously published in AR 15 – 34.
B–6. Comments
Help make this a better tool for evaluating internal controls. Submit comments to Deputy Chief of Staff, G– 1
(AHRC– PDR), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122 –5402.
AR 15–34 • 19 March 2021 7
Glossary
Section I
Abbreviations
APRD
Army Personnel Records Division
AR
Army regulation
ARIMS
Army Records Information Management System
CG
Commanding General
DA
Department of the Army
DoD
Department of Defense
ISRB
Individual Service Review Board
RRS–A
Army Records Retention Schedule-Army
SECDEF
Secretary of Defense
USAHRC
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
VA
Veterans Administration
Section II
Terms
Civilian or contractual group
An organization rendering service to the Armed Forces of the United States in a capacity that was then considered to
be civilian employment or a contractual service. An example of such an organization is the Women’s Airforce Service
Pilots (a group of Federal civilian employees attached to the U.S. Air Force in World War II).
UNCLASSIFIED PIN 043683–000