IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  5 August 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100008212 


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 effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Recondo Insignia or the "Recondo Schools Pocket Patch." 

2.  The applicant states he served with Company E, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry in Vietnam from March 1969 to March 1970.  Company E consisted of the mortar platoon and the reconnaissance platoon.  He served in the reconnaissance platoon and operated throughout the central highlands of Vietnam as part of a   4-man team.  He adds that he attended and completed the 2-week "Recondo" training course in the summer of 1969.  This course involved "repelling," advanced first aid techniques, advanced survival skills, and a live mission involving contact with the enemy.  His records show no recognition for his service in the reconnaissance platoon or completion of this specialized training.  He heard that he is permitted to wear a special designation or insignia for serving in the reconnaissance platoon.  The orders that awarded him the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device clearly show a typical reconnaissance mission conducted by his unit.

3.  The applicant provides the following documents:

* A copy of his DD Form 214
* A copy of orders awarding him the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device


CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 17 June 1968 and he held military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  He served in the Republic of Vietnam from 25 March 1969 to
17 March 1970 with Company E, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.

3.  He was honorably separated in the rank/grade of sergeant/E-5 on 19 March 1970 and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) to complete his remaining Reserve obligation.

4.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214, dated 19 March 1970, shows the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16), and two overseas service bars.

5.  On 17 September 2008, he was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to 
DD Form 214) that added the Good Conduct Medal (1st Award), Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device, Air Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, and three bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal.

6.  According to the official Army Center for Military History, during the Vietnam War, General Westmoreland noticed a failing of tactical proficiency in squad, team, and patrol leaders during the Vietnam War.  Realizing the importance of small unit leaders and individuals who had been separated from their parent units to take action against superior enemy forces, he instituted relevant training to rectify their deficiencies before unit deployment.  At the time, the Army sent many of its officers and senior non-commissioned officers to an 8-week Ranger Course.  One of the missions of a graduate of the Ranger School was to train his platoon or squad members in Ranger tactics.  An officer suggested some of the 101st Airborne's Division Rangers trained personnel start a school for the entire division in Ranger tactics.  To emphasize reconnaissance and standard infantry skills, a training school was created and called "Recondo."  The Recondo insignia of the graduates of the school would be an Indian arrowhead pointing downwards to symbolize assault from the sky to the ground in the colors of black and white for operation by day and night.  The patch would be worn on the graduate's pocket.  To avoid confusion, the graduate of the school would be considered a "Recondo" rather than "Ranger" trained.  The patch was worn as long as a member was assigned to unit that employed him, mainly in a reconnaissance platoon.  The training course was disbanded, however, with the departure of General Westmoreland from Vietnam in 1970.

7.  Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 578 lists and discusses all official U.S. military decorations, medals, ribbons, and similar devices; the "Recondo" patch is not listed as an official patch/badge. 

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations, Good Conduct Medal, service medals and ribbons, combat and special skill badges and tabs, unit decorations, and trophies, and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments.  The "Recondo" patch is not an authorized military award, decoration, or badge, and as such, may not be shown on a discharge document (DD Form 214).  

9.  Army Regulation 670-1 (Uniforms and Insignia) prescribes the authorization for wear, composition, and classification of uniforms, and the occasions for wearing all personal (clothing bag issue), optional, and commonly worn organizational Army uniforms.  It also prescribes the awards, insignia, and accouterments authorized for wear on the uniform, and how these items are worn.  The following insignia and accouterments are authorized for wear on these uniforms:  Badges (subdued), combat and special skill badges (pin on or embroidered sew-on), special skill tabs, subdued identification badges, brassards, branch insignia, combat leaders identification, grade insignia, headgear insignia, subdued shoulder sleeve insignia (current organization), subdued shoulder sleeve insignia, former wartime service, name and U.S. Army distinguishing tapes, and organizational flash.  However, there are no provisions for entering a locally authorized unit patch on the DD Form 214.



DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

The "Recondo" pocket patch was authorized for wear during the Vietnam War by Soldiers who successfully completed the Recondo training course at the time.  However, not only is this patch no longer authorized, it is an item of clothing wear and not an award or decoration; therefore, it is not authorized to be entered on the DD Form 214 or any other place in the military record.  

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X___  ____X___  ____X___  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      _______ _   __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)                                         AR20100008212



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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR2010