RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-03940

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to show that he is entitled to the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Professional Military Education (PME) Graduate Ribbon.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

It was an oversight that his completion of the NCO Preparatory Academy in 1958 was not reflected on his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge.

In support of the appeal, the applicant submits extracts from his military personnel records.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 29 March 1955 for a period of four years.

He completed the Management Course for Air Force Supervisors (Management I) at the NCO Preparatory Academy on 23 April 1958, graduating first in his class of 29, with a superior rating.

He was released from active duty on 5 February 1959.

The NCO PME Graduate Ribbon was established on 28 August 1962 and can be awarded retroactively to graduates of a certified United States Air Force NCO PME school, Phases II, III, and IV.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that although the 23 April 1958 letter from the 25th Air Division states that he completed an NCO Preparatory Academy, the certificate shows he only graduated from a management course, from a preparatory academy.  The only certified NCO academies are run by the Major Air Commands (MAJCOMs), and the 25th Air Division is not a MAJCOM.  Since he did not attend or graduate from a certified Air Force NCO PME school, he is not eligible for the award.

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

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 23 May 2003 for review and response within 30 days.  However, 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 an error or injustice.  After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s complete submission, we are not persuaded that he is entitled to the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Professional Military Education (PME) Graduate Ribbon.  In support of his request, the applicant submits a letter, dated 23 April 1958, indicating that he completed the NCO Preparatory Academy.  In view of this, his records have been administratively corrected to reflect his completion of the NCO Preparatory Course.  The NCO PME Graduate Ribbon is awarded for completion of a certified Air Force NCO PME School.  Since the applicant attended a management course, from a preparatory academy, and did not graduate from a certified Air Force NCO PME school, he is not eligible for the award.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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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 Docket Number BC-2002-03940 in Executive Session on 10 July 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 Dec 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 1 May 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 May 03.