RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03009
INDEX CODE:  107.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX			COUNSEL: NO

	XXXXXXXXXXXXX				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

His records be corrected to reflect medals he deserves.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was not awarded medals he deserves due to his supervisor’s negligence.  He was recommended for the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal; however, he never received them.

In support of his application, the applicant has provided a personal statement; copies of training certificates; letters of appreciation; performance reports; letters and certificates of recognition, achievement, and recommendation; and miscellaneous other military personnel documents.  His complete submission with attachments is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 31 March 1981, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the age of 24 in the grade of airman basic (E-1) for a period of six years.  He was progressively promoted to the rank of staff sergeant (E-5) effective and with a date of rank of 1 November 1984.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 1 April 1987 under the Early Separation Program (Strength Reduction).  He was credited with six years and one day of active duty.  His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, identified his decorations as the Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service star, Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), Air Force Overseas Service Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon.

On 17 April 1987, the applicant enlisted in the Connecticut Air National Guard (CTANG) and as Reserve of the Air Force in the rank of staff sergeant (E-5) for a period of three years.  He was progressively promoted to the rank of master sergeant effective and with a date of rank of 15 April 1993.  The applicant was honorably discharged from the CTANG effective 1 October 1997, because of his resignation request, and from the United States Air Force Reserve on 16 April 1999.  While in the CTANG, the applicant was awarded one oak leaf cluster to his AFCM.  As of the period ending 16 April 1997, he was credited with a total of 15 years and 1 day of satisfactory Federal service.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends disapproval.  DPPPR states that while the applicant was on active duty, he received an AFCM for rendering assistance to an accident victim on 25 November 1982, while assigned to Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), CA.  He did not receive an end-of-tour decoration.  The applicant stated his supervisor told him he was being submitted for the award of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal; however, he did not provide any documentation to substantiate this claim.  The applicant also stated he saw paperwork recommending him for the Joint Meritorious Service Medal prior to his departure from Germany, but he did not provide any documentation to show that a decoration was placed into official channels (signed by the recommending official and endorsed by the next higher official in the chain of command).  The applicant stated that he was told he was not going to receive a decoration for his tour at Holloman AFB, NM, because he had not been there long enough to receive a decoration.  Decorations are not automatically awarded at the end of a tour; it is the supervisor’s decision as to whether or not an individual will be recommended for a decoration at any time.  Individuals cannot recommend themselves for a decoration.  Without any official documentation or statements from individuals in his chain of command, we are unable to verify the applicant’s eligibility for any additional decorations.  The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

ANG/DPPI recommends denial.  DPPI states that after a thorough review of the applicant’s records, there was no documentation to indicate that he had been awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal or the Air Force Achievement Medal.  DPPI was able to confirm that the applicant was recommended for awards; however, higher CTANG authority never approved the awards.  The DPPI evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force Evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 19 December 2003, for review and comment 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 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.  After a thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence that the individual is eligible for the award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, or any other award that he claims he did not receive.  We note the award citations the applicant submitted as evidence; however, there is no indication in his records that these awards were ever signed by the recommending official or endorsed by the next higher official in his chain of command.  In regard to the Joint Service Commendation Medal, we note that the Board lacks authority to award him this medal since it is a Department of Defense award.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling 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 this application in Executive Session on 11 March 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	
The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03009:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Aug 03, with attachments.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/ DPPPR, dated 10 Dec 03. 
	Exhibit D.  Letter, ANG/DPP1, dated 4 Nov 03. 
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Dec 03.