RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:	


	BOARD DATE:	  29 April 2008
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20070018809


	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.


 

Director

 

Analyst

      The following members, a quorum, were present:


 

Chairperson

 

Member

 

Member
	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).



THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, correction of her Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) to show award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-W Bar and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that these awards were omitted from her 
DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides copies of her DD Form 214, award orders [Driver and Mechanic Badge], and supporting documentation for award of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal. 

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  On 8 July 2005, the applicant was ordered to active duty as a member of the United States Army Reserve in the rank of private first class, pay grade E-3.  

2.  Records show that the applicant was awarded military occupational specialty 42L (Administrative Specialist).  Her unit of assignment was the 485th Quartermaster Company.

3.  The applicant served with her unit in Iraq from 11 November 2005 to
31 October 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

4.  On 25 May 2006, the Commander, 485th Quartermaster Company prepared a Memorandum for Record (provided by the applicant) stating that the members of the unit listed on the attached roster had exhibited honest and faithful service in accordance with the standards of conduct, courage, and duty required by law and customs of the United States Army Reserve.  The memorandum authorized the Soldiers listed on the attached roster award of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal.  The applicant’s name appears on the first page of this roster. 

5.  Permanent Orders 187-15, 485th Corps Support Battalion, dated 6 July 2006, awarded the applicant the Drivers Badge [should read: Driver and Mechanic Badge] for the period from 1 July 2005 to 3 July 2006.  The orders stated that the applicant had met all criteria and was eligible for the award.  The battalion commander signed the orders.  The orders did not indicate a specific bar for wear with this badge.

6.  On 5 December 2006, the applicant was released from active duty.  She had completed 1 year, 4 months, and 28 days of creditable active duty during this period of service.  She had 3 months and 19 days of prior active service and 
9 months and 12 days of prior inactive service, totaling 2 years, 5 months, and 
29 days of combined service in the Army.

7.  Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows her awards as the National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.  

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge.  The Driver and Mechanic Badge is awarded to drivers, mechanics, and special equipment operators to denote the
attainment of a high degree of skill in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles.  A Component Bar “Driver-W” is authorized for wheeled vehicles. Qualification for award requires: (1) Qualify for and possess a current OF 346 (U.S. Government Motor Vehicles Operator’s Identification Card), issued as prescribed by AR 600–55 and, (2) Be assigned duties and responsibilities as a driver or assistant driver of government vehicles for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, or during at least 8,000 miles with no government motor vehicle accident or traffic violation recorded on his or her DA Form 348–1–R (Equipment Operator’s Qualification Record (Except Aircraft)), or (3) Perform satisfactorily for a minimum period of 1 year as an active qualified driver instructor or motor vehicle driver examiner.   Commanders of brigades, regiments, separate battalions, and any commander in the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher may approve award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal is authorized for award to Army personnel including Active Guard Reserve officers in the rank of colonel and below for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity while serving as a member of an Army National Guard or Army Reserve troop program unit or as an individual mobilization augmentee.  Since 3 March 1972 the medal has been authorized on completion of 4 years service with a Reserve Component unit.  Individual must have completed 4 years of qualifying service on or after 3 March 1972 and before the effective date of this regulation (28 March 1995).  Beginning on the effective date of this regulation, the period of qualifying service for award of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal is reduced from 4 to 
3 years.  This change is not retroactive.  Such years of qualifying service must have been consecutive.  A period of more than 24 hours between Reserve enlistments or officer’s service will be considered a break in service.  Credit toward earning the award must begin anew after a break in service.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence clearly shows that the applicant’s battalion commander had determined that she met all of the requirements for award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge.  Presuming that the 485th Quartermaster Battalion had only "wheeled vehicles" it would be appropriate to show that she was awarded the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-W Bar.

2.  The available evidence clearly shows that the applicant’s company commander authorized award of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal to the members of his unit that included the applicant.  However, notwithstanding the company commander’s award of the ARCAM, the applicant had not completed the minimum time in service requirement (3 years) for this award.  Therefore, her request to show this award on her DD Form 214 should be denied.

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 Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing that, in addition to the awards shown on her DD Form 214, her authorized awards include the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-W Bar.
 




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 award of the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal.




      _________X_____________
                CHAIRPERSON

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20070018809



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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
1901 SOUTH BELL STREET, 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON, VA  22202-4508