RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-03491
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was in Saudi Arabia for OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH for 90+ days from December 2001 to March 2002.  His current DD Form 214 does not reflect credit for this tour.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a certificate, a copy of a Special Order and a copy of his DD Form 214.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 21 September 1982.

Applicant was progressively promoted to the grade of technical sergeant on 1 October 1998.

His Enlisted Performance Report for the period 31 March 2001 to 30 March 2002 contains the statement, “…deployed to 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing, Saudi Arabia.”  However, no dates are mentioned.

Applicant retired on 1 October 2002, in the grade of technical sergeant (E-6).  He served 20 years and 10 days on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR states that the applicant’s deployment order contains the remark that variations [in locations] are authorized; therefore, without the Travel Voucher, they cannot confirm that the applicant was in Saudi Arabia for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in order to verify his eligibility for the AFEM.  The locally-produced certificates cannot be considered valid, as they are handed out indiscriminately by commanders who do not verify an individual’s eligibility.  Furthermore, if the applicant returned from Saudi Arabia on or about 1 March 2002, and he did not retire until 30 September 2002, he had more than sufficient time to provide the necessary documentation to his Military Personnel Flight in order to have the AFEM entered into his records.  His failure to ensure his awards were up-to-date prior to retirement, and his failure to respond to our request for valid documentation, only casts doubt on his claim.  

On 13 November 2002, DPPPR informed the applicant that the locally produced certificate for the AFEM is not a valid form, and a copy of his Travel Voucher was needed to confirm the actual dates he was in Saudi Arabia.  He did not respond.

Therefore, they recommend disapproval of applicant’s request.

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

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 31 January 2003, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 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 timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  Based on the documentation provided, specifically, the cited statement contained in the applicant’s EPR closing 30 March 2002 and the locally-produced certificate signed by his commander, we believe it reasonable to assume that he performed duties in Saudi Arabia for OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH for 90+ days and that any doubt should be resolved in his favor.  In view of the foregoing and in an effort to remove any possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend that his record 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 his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Block 13, be amended by adding the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 8 May 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	            Vice Chair
	            Member
              Member

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

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 Oct 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 28 Jan 03, w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Jan 03.

                                   

AFBCMR BC-2002-03491
INDEX CODE:  107.00

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 his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Block 13, be amended by adding the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).