RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01737
		INDEX CODE:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the NATO Allied Force Expeditionary Medal, his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), issued 3 Jun 01, reflect this award, and that his Standard Form 50-B reflect 5-Point Veteran’s Preference.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 does not reflect the Medal; therefore, his Standard Form 50-B does not reflect Veteran’s Preference.  He says submitting his travel voucher and his orders confirms that he was deployed to the area of operation.  

In support of his appeal, applicant submitted a copy of his DD Form 214, dated 3 Jun 01; a copy of Standard Form 50-B, and copies of the special order and travel voucher associated with the deployment to a classified location in support of NATO Operation Allied Force.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 4 Jun 97, applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force and he had continuous active duty service until his discharge on 3 Jun 01.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman (SrA/E-4), with a date of rank and effective date of 4 Jun 00. 

A resume of applicant’s enlisted performance reports (EPRs) profile follows:

	      PERIOD CLOSING			OVERALL EVALUATION

03 Feb 99							5
03 Feb 00							5
03 Feb 01							5

On 3 Jun 01, applicant was honorably discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, by reason of completion of required active service.  He served 4 years of active duty.  

Applicant’s records reflect award of the Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Air Force Longevity Service Award.  

Applicant’s DD Form 214 was administratively corrected to reflect 5 months and 27 days of foreign service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR reviewed this application and recommended denial.  The applicant provided a copy of his TDY order deploying him in support of NATO Operation ALLIED FORCE for 179 days, on or about 1 Jun 99.  Research by another office showed that the applicant was deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey, from 1 Jun 99 to 27 Nov 99.

Applicant was advised that there was no award known as the “NATO Allied Force Expeditionary Medal,” and they believe he might be referring to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  However, it was explained that since he was not deployed to the Area of Eligibility for award of the Kosovo Campaign Medal or NATO Medal (Kosovo), he was not eligible for any additional awards.

Only NATO can approve and issue the NATO Medal.  Had the applicant been eligible, the determination of entitlement would have been made by NATO prior to his departure from the Area of Eligibility.

Applicant’s request for changes to his SF 50-B should be addressed with his Civilian Personnel Office.

A complete copy of the 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 3 Oct 03 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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.  In this regard, we note that the applicant was advised by the Air Force that the “NATO Allied Force Expeditionary Medal” does not exist.  They believe the applicant may be referring to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  However, while the evidence of record shows that the applicant served from 1 Jun 99 to 27 Nov 99 in support of NATO Operation ALLIED FORCE, no evidence has been submitted to substantiate that he was ever deployed to the Area of Eligibility in support of the operation.    Therefore, we are unable to determine his eligibility for any awards that he might be entitled to for such service.  Should the applicant provide documentation to substantiate his claim, we would be willing to reconsider his petition.  In view of the above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

4.  With respect to the applicant’s request for changes to his Standard Form 50-B, he should address this issue with his civilian personnel office.

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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 BC-2003-01737 in Executive Session on 19 November 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 May 03, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 19 Sep 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Oct 03.

                                   Chair