RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 01-01278

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect the Air Force Achievement Medal awarded for extraordinary achievement during the period 13 October 1992 to 12 December 1992.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He earned the decoration for his deeds during the clean-up of Homestead AFB following Hurricane Andrew and received the certificate/citation, without the special orders.  He was told to contact his Military Personnel Flight (MPF) at his home base (i.e., MacDill AFB) to get orders issued; however, no one at the MPF was helpful.

While no more than one AFAM should be issued in a one year period, except under extraordinary circumstances, his situation warrants such consideration (i.e., volunteered to assist in recovery of Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE), worked 12-14 hour days, lived in tent city, Homestead AFB MPF destroyed, etc).

In support of the appeal, applicant submits his personal statement and a copy of a certificate/citation to accompany the award of the AFAM, 1 OLC.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of staff sergeant (E-5).

56th Mission Support Squadron special order GB-104, dated 21 December 1992, awarded the applicant the AFAM for outstanding achievement during the period 9 January 1992 to 2 July 1992.

56th Mission Support Squadron special order GB-0408, dated 8 July 1993, awarded the applicant the AFAM, 1 OLC, for meritorious service during the period 5 April 1989 to 31 October 1993.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied.  AFPC/DPPPR states, in part, that since the applicant had already been awarded the basic AFAM for a period during 1992, he was not eligible for another AFAM within that year.  The applicant has not provided sufficient justification for his delay in clearing up the many discrepancies regarding the AFAM, 1 OLC for the October to December 1992 time period, nor has he provided sufficient documentation to verify that the AFAM, 1 OLC, was awarded to him by anyone at Homestead AFB at that time.

The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 11 February 2002 for review and response within 30 days.  However, as of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  In this respect, the majority of the Board notes that the Commander, 31st Logistics Group awarded the applicant an AFAM, 1 OLC, on 11 December 1992, for his efforts at Homestead AFB, during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, which included support for Air Force One operations.  Copies of the orders awarding the decoration have not been located.  In accordance with AFI 36-2803, Table 2.1, Note 20, no more than one AFAM should be awarded during a year, except under extraordinary circumstances.  A majority of the Board believes the circumstances of this case are extraordinary and that the applicant should not be penalized for the absence of special orders.  Therefore, in view of the above and noting that his efforts at Homestead AFB, during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, included support for Air Force One operations, the majority of Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

	a.	On 13 December 1992, he was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM, 1 OLC), for extraordinary achievement during the period 13 October 1992 to 12 December 1992.

	b.	He was awarded the AFCM, Second Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM, 2 OLC), rather than the AFAM, 1 OLC, for meritorious service during the period 5 April 1989 to 31 October 1993.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 01-01278 in Executive Session on 6 March 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The majority of the Board voted to correct the records as recommended.  Mr. recommended the application be denied, but does not wish to submit a Minority Report.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 May 01, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 8 Jan 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Jan 02.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR 01-01278

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that:

		a.	On 13 December 1992, he was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM, 1 OLC), for extraordinary achievement during the period 13 October 1992 to 12 December 1992.

		b.	He was awarded the AFCM, Second Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM, 2 OLC), rather than the AFAM, 1 OLC, for meritorious service during the period 5 April 1989 to 31 October 1993.

                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency