ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  11 June 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170008044


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  award of the Combat Medical Badge.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

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 he would like to be awarded the Combat Medical Badge.  He fulfilled his duties as a medic in combat, but was denied the award because the command stated he was not fired upon during the act of performing his duties.  He further states:

	a.  He served as a medic in a military police unit in a squad sized element in Ramadi, Iraq from 2007 to 2008.  

	b.  In training Iraqi policy during the surge, they performed daily missions in hazardous conditions both by convoy and on foot patrols.

	c.  He performed medical intervention for the members of his squad supporting security detail, the Iraqi police they worked with, and local civilians.

	d.  In November 2007, he performed intervention for an Iraqi police officer with an abdominal penetrating wound.

3.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

	a.  Having had prior service, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 11 February 2001.  

	b.  He was mobilized and entered active duty on 8 June 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

	c.  He served in Iraq from 15 August 2007 to 28 May 2008, in military occupational specialty (MOS) 68W (Health care Specialist), assigned to the 603rd Military Police Company.

   d.  He was honorably released from active duty on 25 June 2008.  His DD Form 214 shows he completed 1 year and 18 days of total active service.  He served in military occupational specialty 68W, Health Care Specialist for 1 year and 4 months.  It also shows he was awarded or authorized:

* Army Commendation Medal
* Army Good Conduct Medal
* National Defense Service Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star
* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon
* Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device

4.  By regulation, the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of either a brigade, regiment, or smaller size which is engaged in actual ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy and the Soldier must have been personally present and under fire during such ground combat.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was not warranted.  The Board found there was a lack of evidence to show the applicant was assigned to an infantry unit at the time of the incident.  For that reason, the Board recommended denying the applicant’s requested relief.


BOARD VOTE:
Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	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.
	 
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.


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 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of a brigade, regiment, or smaller size which is engaged in actual ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy and the Soldier must have been personally present and under fire during such ground combat.  The Combat Medical Badge is authorized for award for Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom, 19 March 2003 to 31 August 2010).

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170008044


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