RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01139
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM) and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR). 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was a member of the Security Police Deployment Forces.  He took the Combat Preparedness and the 90mm Recoilless Rifle course.  He was also sent to Ft. Polk, LA for training in Air Base Defense for the Air Force-Army Command Exercise.  He was informed he was authorized to wear the #43 Combat Readiness Ribbon and remembers wearing the ribbon.  He also believes that he shot expert at least twice with his service revolver and once with the M-16. 

In support of his application he submits two personal statements, a copy of an endorsement letter forwarding a certificate of appreciation and copies of his TDY orders. 

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 18 October 1972 the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force for a period of 4 years.  He performed duties as a Law Enforcement Specialist and was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant.  

Based on his trial and conviction by a general court-martial, on 19 August 1977, the applicant was discharged under other than honorable conditions (UOTHC).  He was credited with 4 years and 17 days of total active service.  Time lost was 285 due to confinement.

At the time of his discharge, applicant’s DD Form 214, Block 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded, reflected the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.  On 10 June 2002, his DD Form 214 was corrected to delete the AFGCM.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied.  DPPPR states that they notified the applicant that documentation was needed to substantiate his claims; however, he did not respond.  DPPPR states there is no documentation in his record to substantiate entitlement to the CRM and SAEMR. 

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

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 19 July 2002 for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  The applicant’s contentions are duly noted, however, after a careful review of the evidence provided, we find his assertions, in and by themselves, insufficient to support findings that he was entitled to the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM) and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has suffered either an error or injustice in this matter.  Accordingly, there is no basis on which to favorably consider his request.  

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered this application AFBCMR Docket Number 01-03321 in Executive Session on 2 October 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 26 March 2002 w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 14 June 2002 w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 July 2002.