46 U.S.C. § 11203: Documentation of qualified service

issue a certificate of honorable service to an individual who, as determined by that Secretary, engaged in qualified service of a nature and duration that warrants issuance of the certificate; and correct, or request the appropriate official of the Federal Government to correct, the service records of that individual to the extent necessary to reflect the qualified service and the issuance of the certificate of honorable service. A Secretary receiving an application under subsection (a) shall act on the application not later than 1 year after the date of that receipt. In making a determination under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary acting on the application shall apply the same standards relating to the nature and duration of service that apply to the issuance of honorable discharges under section 401(a)(1)(B) of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 ( 38 U.S.C. 106 note). An official who is requested under subsection (a)(2) to correct the service records of an individual shall make such correction.