IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 9 December 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200005191 APPLICANT REQUESTS: to be awarded the Master Gunner Identification badge for his service as a Bradley Master Gunner. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), dated 31 March 1999 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the ABCMR 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 is requesting to be awarded the Master Gunner Identification badge for his service as a Bradley Master Gunner. He was fully qualified and awarded the J3 identifier at Ft. Benning Georgia from the Bradley Master Gunner School Class 4-86 (Summer 1986). 3. A review of the applicant’s official record shows on: a. 16 March 1979, DD Form 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document), reflects he enlisted in the Regular Army, serving in various positions and locations as a Cavalry Scout. b. 2 September 1986, successfully completed the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Master Gunner Course at the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA c. 6 November 1996, DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record-Part II) shows: * Item 9 (Awards, Decorations & Campaigns): does not show award of the Master Gunner Identification Badge * Item 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools) graduated from the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Master Gunner Course after 12 weeks in 1986. * Item 35 (Records of Assignment) - served as a Master Gunner from 9 August 1988 until 1 January 1989 when he transferred to being a Bradley Master Gunner through 17 February 1989. d. 27 July 1998, (Orders 208-0004), published by the 5th Personnel Service Battalion, Fort Polk releasing him from active duty for retirement with an effective date of 31 March 1999. e. 31 March 1999, DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), does not reflect Master Gunner Identification badge. f. His records are void of orders awarding him the Master Gunner Identification badge. 4. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) see 2e above. 5. The Master Gunner Identification Badge, was first approved by the Army’s acting assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). In January 2018, the Master Gunner Identification Badge was awarded to graduates of seven schools, and is retroactive to October 1975, according to MILPER message 19-144. 6. See regulatory guidance below under References. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that partial relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicants request, supporting documents, evidence in the records and regulatory guidance. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his military service record and documents provided by the applicant. Evidence in the record show the applicant successfully completed the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Master Gunner Course at the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA on 2 September 1986. The Board determined the applicant's service record did not reflect he was awarded the Master Gunner Identification badge. Therefore, relief was granted to correct the applicant’s record and award him the Master Gunner Identification badge. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 XXX XX XXX 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 Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending in 31 March 1999 by awarding him the Master Gunner Identification badge. 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, United States 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 ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. 3. MILPER Message Number 19-144 – The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) has approved the establishment of the Master Gunner Identification Badge (MGIB). The MGIB will be awarded to graduates of Additional Skill Identifier producing courses characterized by a high level of technical competence and a detailed understanding of a projectile producing system that aide a command in planning, resourcing, training, and executing a gunnery program designed to enhance the combat effectiveness and lethality of a maneuver force. The MGIB is authorized for award to U.S. and foreign military personnel that qualify. The MGIB is effective the day of this MILPER release and retroactive to 1 Oct 75. The basic eligibility criteria for award of the MGIB are as follows: a. Successful completion of one of the following courses: * Field Artillery Master Gunner Course taught by the U.S. Army Field Artillery School. * Master Gunnery-M1/M1A1 Tank Course taught by the U.S. Army Armor School. * Infantry Fighting Vehicle Master Gunner Course taught by the U.S. Army Infantry School. * Avenger Master Gunner Course taught by the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School. * M1A2 SEP Master Gunner Course taught by the U.S. Army Armor School. * Stryker Master Gunner Course taught by the U.S. Army Armor School. * Patriot Master Gunner Course taught by the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School. * Aviation Master Gunner Course taught by the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. b. Possess or have been previously awarded the following Additional Skill Identifiers: * Enlisted: A7, A8, J3, K7, K8, R8, or T4. * Warrant Officer: H8, 5 c. Award approval authority. The MGIB may be awarded by * Commander, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. * Commandant, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School. * Commandant, U.S. Army Armor School. * Commandant, U.S. Army Field Artillery School. * Commandant, U.S. Army Infantry School d. The MGIB may be awarded retroactively to current members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or U.S. Army National Guard who have successfully completed all graduation requirements and received a graduation certificate from any Master Gunner. e. Retroactive requests for Veterans and Retirees should be submitted to Commanding General, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Awards and Decorations Branch (AHRC-PDP-A), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408 f. The MGIB will be announced in permanent orders by the approval authorities listed in paragraph 5 above. Only the organization publishing the original MGIB order is authorized to revoke or amend it. Human Resources support offices will follow the guidance when publishing, amending, revoking, and distributing orders for the MGIB. Additionally, Human Resources support offices will file a copy of published MGIB orders in the awarded Soldier’s Army Military Human Resource Record. g. The MGIB may be revoked based on the recommendation of the field commander (COL/O-6 and above) of the individual in question. h. There is only one tier of award regardless of the level at which the master gunner serves. i. The MGIB is authorized for wear on the ACU, OCP, ASU, and Dress uniforms on wearer’s left side. Additional guidance on wear of the identification badges can be found in DA Pam 670-1. j. Applicable changes will be incorporated into the next revisions of AR 600-8-22, AR 670-1, and DA Pam 670-1. For clarification of information provided, contact the U.S. Army Infantry School, Office of the Chief of Infantry, 1 Karker Street, Suite 6100, Fort Benning, GA 31905, telephone 706-545-8791, or email usarmy.benning.tradoc.mbx.ocoiweb@mail.mil //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200005191 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1