RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBERS:  01-01763
		INDEX CODE 107.00
	 	COUNSEL:  None

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Award of the Aircraft Maintenance Badge (AMB), the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM), the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM), and the NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon (NCO PMEGR).

[In his rebuttal (Exhibit G), the applicant withdrew his request for the AFGCM and the AFAM. The NCO PMEGR was administratively granted. The applicant still asks for the AMB.]

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The reasons the applicant believes the records to be in error or unjust and the evidence submitted in support of the appeal are at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered active duty on 19 Nov 81. He received an Article 15 on 11 Jun 84 for driving a passenger car while drunk at Kadena AB, Japan. Punishment was reduction from the grade of airman first class to airman with 14 days of extra duty. The reduction was suspended until 27 Nov 84. Award of the AFGCM for the period ending 11 Jun 84 was denied. On 20 Feb 85, the applicant was selected for reenlistment. On 16 Apr 86, award of the AFGCM for the period ending 20 Mar 86 was denied; however, the available military records do not indicate why. The applicant was released from active duty in the grade of sergeant and transferred to the Air Force Reserves upon expiration of his term of active obligated service on 18 Jun 86.

He enlisted in the District of Columbia Air National Guard (DCANG) on 13 Aug 87 and was released in the grade of staff sergeant and transferred to the Army National Guard on 14 Feb 90. He is currently serving on active duty with the US Army in the grade of captain.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR addressed only the NCO PMEGR and AFGCM issues.  They advised that the applicant is entitled to the NCO PMEGR, which has been administratively added to his DD Form 214. He was advised of this administrative correction by letter dated 16 Jul 01. However, he was denied the AFGCM for the period 2-11 Jun 84, with a new start date of 12 Jun 84, and again for the period 18 Nov 86-20 Mar 86 [sic] with a new start date of 21 Mar 86. Therefore, he did not have 3 years of exemplary service to qualify for that award.  Denial of the AFGCM is recommended.

A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

HQ AFPC/DPSFM advises that the applicant previously held the Avionic Inertial and Radar navigation Air Force Specialty Code from Nov 81 to Jun 86. They could not find any documentation certifying eligibility for awarding the AMB. The badge did not exist prior to 8 Aug 86 (the effective date of AFR 900-66 which governed award of the AMB) and no criteria had been established for award of the badge prior to that date. Additionally, when the Air Force created new occupational badges in 94 for all career fields, there were no provisions made to award them retroactively. Denial is recommend.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit D.

ANG/DPFP indicates that neither the military personnel flight (MPF) nor the state headquarters was able to provide documentation substantiating the applicant's claim for the AFAM.  The state also was unable to locate anyone, current or former guardsmen, who had direct knowledge of the applicant's contributions for the AFAM. Federal decorations are not an inherent right but are intended to recognize superior performance or achievements. Denial is recommended.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit E.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant withdrew his requests for the AFGCM and the AFAM, and acknowledges the administrative correction regarding the NCO PMEGR. However, he contends he is eligible for the AMB. 

A complete copy of applicant’s response, with attachment, is at Exhibit G.

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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 to warrant relief. We note that the NCO PMEGR was awarded administratively and the applicant withdrew his request for the AFGCM and the AFAM.  Therefore, the only remaining issue for this Board’s consideration pertains to the AMB.  HQ AFPC/DPSFM advises that the applicant’s Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) from Nov 81 to Jun 86 did not apply and the AMB did not exist prior to 8 Aug 86. However, according to the NGB Form 22 submitted by the applicant, he served in the DCANG from 13 Aug 87 until 14 Feb 90, after the AMB was created. His primary AFSC was 45551C-Avionics Guidance and Control Systems Specialist. A Member of this Panel who is familiar with the criteria for the AMB advised that this, together with the applicant's grade and experience with F-4E and F-16 aircraft, appears to make him eligible for the AMB. We therefore believe the applicant should be given the benefit of the doubt and awarded the AMB. 

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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 he was awarded the Aircraft Maintenance Badge on 13 Feb 90.

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The following members of the Board considered this application n Executive Session on 7 May 2002 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Panel Chair
			Member
			Member

The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number 01-01763 was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149 (3), dated 19 Jun 01, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 7 Sep 01, w/atchs.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSFM, dated 5 Oct 01.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, ANG/DPFP, dated 11 Feb 02.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Mar 02.
   Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 23 Mar 02.

                                   

AFBCMR 01-01763

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   , be corrected to show that he was awarded the Aircraft Maintenance Badge on 13 February 1990.