medals-ribbons-badges

Criteria

(a) 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.

(b) Badge approval authority. Commanders of brigades, regiments, separate battalions, and any commander in the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher.

(c) A soldier must—

(1) Qualify for and possess a current OF 346 (U.S. Government Motor Vehicles Operator’s Identification Card), issued as prescribed by AR 600–55 and,

(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 and with no government motor vehicle accident or traffic violation recorded on his or her DA Form 348–1–R (Equipment Operator’s Qualification Record (Except Air- craft)), or,

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

(d) A soldier must—

(1) Pass aptitude tests and complete the standard mechanics’ 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 is an active automotive or engineer mechanic instructor.

(3) If required to drive an Army motor vehicle in connection with auto- motive mechanic or automotive mechanic instructor duties, qualify for motor vehicle operators permit as prescribed above, and perform duty which 32 CFR Ch. V (7–1–07 Edition) includes driving motor vehicles for a minimum of 6 consecutive months, and has no Army motor vehicle accident or traffic violation recorded on his or her DA Form 348 (Equipment Operator’s Qualification Record (Except Air- craft)).

(e) Eligibility requirements for operators of special mechanical equipment. A soldier or civilian whose primary duty involves operation of Army materials handling or other mechanical equipment must have completed 12 consecutive months or 500 hours of operation, whichever comes later, without accident or written reprimand as the result of his or her operation, and his or her operating performance must have been adequate in all respects.

The motor vehicle driver and mechanic award was originally authorized by War Department Circular 248 dated 28 July 1942. The 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. Specific requirements for award of the badge are contained in AR 600-8-22.