ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


                   IN THE CASE OF:

                   BOARD DATE:  15 February 2019

                   DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20160013193


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show:

* he completed the Special Forces Underwater Operations School
* in effect, award of the Special Operations Diver Badge

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* Health Record
* Certificate of Training for the Underwater Operations Course of Instruction
* Memorandum, subject:  Completion of Training (Underwater Operations Course)
* DD Form 214

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 

2.  The applicant states his DD Form 214 does not reflect his completion of the Special Forces Underwater Operations School, class 68-3, nor was he awarded the Combat Swimmer Badge (i.e. Special Operations Diver Badge).  He believes the errors were generated due to his movement and subsequent training causing an oversight in the update of his record.  Shortly after completing the course, he was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal School and then to the Technical Escort Unit.

3.  The applicant provides:

	a.  A health record, which shows:

* 3 April 1968, equalized 50 pounds of pressure in Key West, FL
* 5 April 1968, completed open water buoyant ascents from 18 and 36 feet in Key West, FL
* 18 April 1968, completed scuba dive to 60 feet, in Key West, FL
* 22 April 1968, completed scuba dive to 130 feet, in Key West, FLO
* 27 April 1968, physically accepted for scuba

	b.  Certificate of Training for Underwater Operations Course of Instruction at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare (Airborne) (USAJFKSWCS).

	c.  Memorandum, subject:  Completion of Training, dated 8 May 1968, which shows the applicant completed Underwater Operations Course of Instruction, class 68-3 and the length of the course was seven weeks.

4.  A review of the applicant’s service records shows the following:

	a.  6 July 1966, he enlisted in the Regular Army.

	b.  He completed the Special Forces Underwater Operations Course of Instruction on 10 May 1968.

	c.  He was honorably released from active duty on 18 June 1969.  His DD Form 214 shows in:

		(1)  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized):  no entry for the Special Operations Diver Badge.

		(2)  Item 25 (Education and Training Completed):  no entry for the Special Forces Underwater Operations Course of Instruction.

5.  By regulation, the Special Operations Diver Badge is awarded to graduates of USAJFKSWCS Combat Diver Qualification Course; Special Forces Underwater Operations, Key West, FL; or any other U.S. Army Special Operations Command approved Combat Diver Qualification Course.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

The Board considered the applicant’s request with all supporting documents, evidence in the service record, and applicable regulations, guidance and policy.  The applicant’s training certificate for the Underwater Operations Course of Instruction, and the Headquarters U.S. Army Special Forces Training Group (Airborne) memorandum of course completion all demonstrate the applicant successfully completed the course.  Therefore the Board finds the applicant’s request is warranted.


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:X	:X	:X	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:

* Awarding him the Special Operations Diver badge
* Correcting his DD Form 214 to add to item 24, the Special Operations Diver Badge, and to item 25 the "Special Operations Underwater Operations Course, 7 weeks, 1968” 


SIGNATURE:

				 			___________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.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

Not applicable

REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three 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 three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Scuba Diver Badge has been renamed the Special Operations Diver Badge.  It states the Special Operations Diver Badge and the Special Operations Diving Supervisor Badge may be awarded retroactively to members of any service who successfully completed the JFKSWC Combat Diver Qualification Course on or after 1 October 1964.

3.  AR 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents), in effect at the time, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  It states:

	a.  Item 24, enter from section 9 of DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) all decorations, service medals, campaign credits, and badges awarded or authorized, omitting authorities cited therein.

	b.  Item 25, enter service schools, including major course which were successfully completed, and military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20160013193


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