BOARD DATE: 2 October 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140002080 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show award of the Basic Aviation Badge. 2. The applicant states: * his military occupational specialty (MOS) was 93H (air traffic control tower operator) * the Basic Aviation Badge was not in effect at the time of his discharge 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214. 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 24 June 1971 for a period of 3 years. He successfully completed basic combat and advanced individual training (AIT) and was awarded MOS 93H in February 1972. On 23 August 1974, he was honorably released from active duty. 3. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) 4. There are no orders for the Basic Aviation Badge (formerly known as the Aircraft Crew Member Badge) in the applicant's available records. 5. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided for temporary and permanent award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. Commanders of any unit with Army aircraft assigned could publish orders allowing qualified members of that command to wear the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. To be eligible for temporary award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge an individual had to be on flying status in the case of crew chiefs, electronic sensor system operators, and flight engineers or as a non-crewmember in the case of observers, medical aidmen, gunners, aircraft maintenance supervisors, or technical inspectors. Individuals were also required to be qualified based on a Class III physical examination and to hold a principal duty assignment as a crew chief, flight engineer, aircraft maintenance supervisor, observer, gunner, or technical inspector. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. There are no orders for the Basic Aviation Badge in the applicant's records. 2. The governing regulation in effect at the time stated to be eligible for temporary award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge an individual had to be on flying status in the case of crew chiefs, electronic sensor system operators, and flight engineers or as a non-crewmember in the case of observers, medical aidmen, gunners, aircraft maintenance supervisors, or technical inspectors. Individuals were also required to be qualified based on a Class III physical examination and to hold a principal duty assignment as a crew chief, flight engineer, aircraft maintenance supervisor, observer, gunner, or technical inspector. 3. There is no evidence which shows he met the qualifications for award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. Therefore, the applicant is not authorized correction of his DD Form 214 to show this badge. 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 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) AR20140002080 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140002080 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1