RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01225
				INDEX CODE:   131.00  107.00

	APPLICANT 	COUNSEL:  None

	SSN		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect his award of the Marksmanship Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal w/2 devices and PME Ribbon.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His records did not reflect all of his enlisted time.  Due to time constraints his records could not be obtained to rectify the errors.  His records should reflect he completed basic military training, 2A551 training, and 2R0X1 training.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty as an  enlisted member from 19 May 1993 through 14 November 2001, when he was discharged to accept a commission.  Applicant is currently serving on active duty  in  the  grade  of second  lieutenant.  He served 8 years, 5 months and 26 days of active enlisted service.

On 9 May 2002, DPPPR informed the applicant that verification was done and he is entitled to the NCO Professional Military Education (PME) Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.

Therefore, the only issue to be considered by the Board is applicant's contention regarding the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).

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.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR states on 18 July 2002, the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon and AFGCM with 1 Oak Cluster were added to the applicant's DD Form 214.  

The applicant was requested to withdraw his request for the AFGCM with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.  The criteria for award of the AFGCM with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters requires the service member to have been in enlisted status for nine years.  The applicant served on active duty in an enlisted status for 8 years, 5 months and 26 days.

The applicant was requested to submit an order awarding him the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) or an AF Form 522, showing he qualified as Expert on the Air Force firing range.  They further requested that if he did not have the appropriate documentation to withdraw his request.  The applicant did not respond.

DPPPR recommends denying the applicant's request.

A copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant stated he provided a dated document showing the SAEMR annotated on his records prior to his commissioning.  He states he has no other documentation to substantiate his request.  He further states that the Squadron Mobility Section retained all records and he did not receive an AF Form 522 nor did anyone inform him of its existence.  The applicant requests instructions on what alternate source of evidence will be accepted to support his request.  The applicant clarified his request for the Good Conduct Medal, indicating that what he wanted his record to reflect was the medal and oak leaf cluster for a total of 2 awards.

On 10 September 2002, the applicant submitted a faxed copy of a Report of Individual Personnel (RIP) reflecting he received the SAEMR.

Applicant's complete response is attached at Exhibit E.

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ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR states originally, when a service member qualified as an Expert on the Air Force firing range, orders were published listing all the individuals who qualified, the date, and their entitlement to the SAEMR.  When the applicant was on active duty, orders were no longer published for qualifying on the firing range; instead after qualifying, the service member's NCO or firing range officer annotated the AF Form 522 that the individual qualified and then signed the form.  The service member is then instructed to take the form to the MPF to have his entitlement entered into his/her records.

DPPPR, after reviewing the RIP the applicant submitted, stated that RIPs often contain erroneous information and without documentation to substantiate his request, they cannot verify his eligibility for the SAEMR (Exhibit F).

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant states he is at a loss as to what course of action to take.  The SAEMR was the first award he earned in his career.  He asks if there is any other suitable proof that will be accepted.  He will go to the MPF to see what information they may have.  Since he can find no further information while he is on his current assignment he will proceed (Exhibit H).

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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 timely filed.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting the award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).  After reviewing the supporting documentation submitted, we believe that the applicant did, in fact, qualify on the firing range as Expert and is entitled to the award of the SAEMR.  In support of his claim the applicant submitted a copy of Report of Individual Personnel (RIP) reflecting he was awarded the SAEMR.  While it is noted that the office of primary responsibility states that RIPs often contain erroneous information, we note that the applicant's other awards listed on the RIP appear to be valid; therefore, with no reason to question the veracity of this 
document, we believe any doubt should be resolved in favor of the applicant.  Therefore, we recommend granting the applicant’s request.

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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 at the completion of Basic Military Training he was awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 14 November 2001, be amended in Section 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized (All periods of service) to reflect the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 02-01225 on 15 October 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 11 Mar 02, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Microfiche.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 2 Jul 02.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Aug 02.
	Exhibit E.	Applicant's Response, dated 28 Aug 02, 
				w/e-mail messages, dated 7-11 Sep 02.
	Exhibit F.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 10 Sep 02.
	Exhibit G.	E-mail, AFBCMR, undated (transmitted additional
				advisory)
	Exhibit H.	Applicant's Electronic Mail Responses, 
				dated 12-17 Sep 02.

AFBCMR 02-01225
INDEX CODE:  107.00

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction for 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, SSN, be corrected to show that at the completion of Basic Military Training he was awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued on 14 November 2001, be amended in Section 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized (All periods of service) to reflect the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.