BOARD DATE:	  12 May 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100027806 


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 reconsideration of his request for award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Wheeled, Tracked, and Mechanic Component Bars.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, the special skill badge is not recorded in his military personnel record or on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his Standard Form 46 (U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card) in support of his request for reconsideration.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20100010749, on 28 September 2010.

2.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States and entered active duty for a period of 2 years on 8 July 1964.  Upon completion of training he was awarded military occupational specialty 45G (Turret Repairman).

3.  The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in:

   a.  item 38 (Record of Assignments) that he was assigned primary duty as a:
       (1)  turret artillery repairman from 13 December 1964 through 25 June 1965;

       (2)  turret maintenance man from 26 June 1965 through 4 January 1966;

       (3)  instructor from 7 January 1966 until his separation from active duty on 7 July 1966; and

   b.  item 41 (Awards and Decorations) does not show award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

4.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he entered active duty on 8 July 1964, he was honorably released from active duty on 7 July 1966, and transferred to the U.S. Army Control Group (Annual Training) to complete his Reserve obligation.

   a.  He had completed 2 years of total active service.

   b.  Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), as corrected by a DD Form 215 (Correction of DD Form 214), dated 4 April 2005, shows the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle and Pistol Bars.
   
5.  The applicant's military service records do not contain a DA Form 348-1-R (Equipment Operator's Qualification Record).  They also do not contain any orders or other evidence that shows he was awarded the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

6.  In support of his request for reconsideration, the applicant provides a copy of his Standard Form 46, issued on 10 March 1966 with an expiration date of
10 March 1969.  It shows he was qualified to operate "Trucks (All 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 - 1/2 Ton 4x2-6x6); C/A-S/W Sedan 4x2 - 1/4 - 3/4 4x4; and Tank M60."

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning military awards and decorations.  

   a.  Chapter 8 (Badges and Tabs, U.S. Origin), Section II (Combat and Special Skill Badges), paragraph 8-31, shows 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.  Authorized component bars include "W" (for wheeled vehicles), "T" (for tracked vehicles), "M" (for motorcycles), "A" (for amphibious vehicles), "mechanic" (for automotive or allied vehicles), and "S" (for special mechanical equipment).

   b.  The eligibility requirements for drivers requires that a Soldier must:

       (1)  possess a current Optional Form 346 (U.S. Government Motor Vehicles Operator's Identification Card);

       (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; or

       (3)  perform satisfactorily for a minimum period of 1 year as an active qualified driver instructor or motor vehicle driver examiner.

   c.  The eligibility requirements for mechanics requires that a Soldier must:

       (1)  pass aptitude tests and complete the standard mechanic's course with a "skilled" rating or have demonstrated possession of sufficient previous experience as an automotive or engineer equipment mechanic to justify such a rating;

       (2)  be assigned to primary duty as an automotive or engineer mechanic, unit level or higher, or as an active automotive or engineer mechanic instructor; and

       (3)  if required to drive an Army motor vehicle in connection with automotive mechanic or automotive mechanic instructor duties, qualify for a motor vehicle operator's permit and perform duty which includes driving motor vehicles for a minimum of 6 consecutive months, and have no Army motor vehicle accident or traffic violation recorded on his DA Form 348.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that his request for award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Wheeled, Tracked, and Mechanic Component Bars should be reconsidered based on the U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card he submitted.

2.  The applicant's request was carefully considered.

   a.  Records show the applicant was assigned to principal duty as a turret artillery repairman for approximately 6 months and then assigned to principal duty as a turret maintenance man for approximately 6 months.

       (1)  There is no evidence that shows the applicant passed aptitude tests and completed the standard mechanic's course with a "skilled" rating or that he demonstrated possession of sufficient previous experience as an automotive or engineer equipment mechanic to justify a "skilled" rating.

       (2)  Thus, there is insufficient evidence to support award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge with the Mechanic Component Bar.

   b.  Records show the applicant was assigned to principal duty as an instructor for 6 months.  The regulatory requirement is clear in that it states the Soldier must perform satisfactorily for a minimum period of 1 year as an active qualified driver instructor.

   c.  There is no evidence of record that shows the applicant was 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.

   d.  Records show the applicant's U.S. Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card was issued on 10 March 1966, which was less than four months prior to his release from active duty.  Thus, it does not offer evidence to support award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge for either wheeled or tracked vehicles based on the accident-free and traffic violation-free operation of government vehicles for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

3.  In view of all of the foregoing, there is insufficient evidence to support award of the Driver and Mechanic Badge with Wheeled, Tracked or Mechanic Component Bars.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__x___  ___x_____  ____x____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20100010749, dated 28 September 2010.

2.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by him in service to our Nation.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.




      _______ _  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)                                         AR20100027806



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100027806



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