RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-03353
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Professional Military Education (PME) Graduate Ribbon.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He attended NCO PME Phase I in Jan 82.  

In support of his appeal, he provided a copy of Certification of Training for the NCO Orientation Course, NCO PME, Phase I, dated 14 Jan 82.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant served on active duty from 5 Jan 79 - 4 Jan 83.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (Sgt/E-4), with an effective date and date of rank of 1 Sep 81.  He was released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve on 4 Jan 83.  He completed a full term of service and was credited with four years of active duty, which included 1 year, 6 months and 8 days of Foreign Service.

Applicant’s records reflect award of the Air Force Longevity Service Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Honor Graduate Ribbon, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal.  On 16 Feb 99, applicant’s DD Form 214 was administratively corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, with One Oak Leaf Cluster.

He completed the Basic Military Training course, Electro-Optical Target Designator System course, OJT Trainee Orientation course, Avionic Sensor System Specialist course and the Target Identification System Electro-Optical course.

He served in the Air Force Reserve from 5 Jan 83 until his discharge on 12 Aug 86 in the grade of staff sergeant with a date of rank of 1 May 83.  He was credited with seven years of satisfactory federal service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommended disapproval of the applicant’s request for award of the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon.  They state that they advised the applicant that an NCO Orientation course completion does not qualify him for award of the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon; a copy of the criteria was provided.

Applicant is not eligible for award of the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon since he did not graduate from a certified NCO PME school.

The complete 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 31 Jan 03 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

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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.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case.  We note that he was previously advised that the NCO Orientation course did not qualify him for award of the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon.  Therefore, we agree with the recommendation of the Air Force and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has suffered either an error or an injustice.  Absent evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of 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 AFBCMR Docket Number 02-03353 in Executive Session on 7 May 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 12 Oct 02, w/atch. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 28 Jan 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Jan 03.