RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03042
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the Armed Forces, be amended to add the award of the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

A revision to AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, reduced the time requirement from 36 months to 24 months for award of the Combat Readiness Medal.

He served over 24 months, in a combat ready status, as a B-52 Navigator, from November 1966 to June 1969, and should be entitled to this medal.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his    DD Form 214, Honorable Discharge Certificate and copies of Officer Effectiveness Reports (OER’s) covering the period 15 July 1966 through 2 July 1969.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on continuous active duty from 4 June 1964 through 31 July 1991.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of Colonel with an effective date of rank of 1 April 1985.  Applicant was honorably retired on 1 August 1991, for years of service established by law.  He served 27 years, 1 month, and 27 days.

Applicant served 6 years and 5 months in AFSC 2225C – Air Operations Officer, B-52, Navigator.

The Combat Readiness Medal was established in 1964.  In 1994, the criteria for award of the CRM changed from 36 months to 24 months of duty while assigned to a unit designated by a Major Command (MAJCOM) as a combat ready unit.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied, and states, in part, that the applicant served as a BN-52 Navigator from Nov 66 to Jun 69, and he retired on 31 Jul 91.  The CRM was established in 1964, and through 1994 the criteria required 36 months of duty while assigned to a unit designated by a Major Command (MAJCOM) as a combat ready unit. 

On 21 Oct 03, the applicant was advised by AFPC/DPPPR that he was not eligible for award of the CRM.  The change from 36 to 24 months did not occur until after he retired, and the change was not retroactive. The applicant did not provide any documentation showing he was assigned to a unit designated by his [then] MAJCOM as a combat ready unit, or that he was assigned to a combat ready position in such a unit.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff publishes the requirements for designation of units that would fall under combat ready status, and the MAJCOMs are responsible for designating units under their command.  Each designated unit’s commander is responsible for issuing a letter of approval for award of the Combat Readiness Medal.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant contends that he found no reference concerning retroactivity in the change to AFI 36-2803.  In his experience, active duty members meeting the new criteria were awarded the medal, and is it the intent of the Air Force to have different criteria for active duty and retired members.

His OER’s from 1966-1969, submitted as evidence, reflect his status as a combat ready B-52 Navigator, and is the only documentation he has showing he was assigned to a combat crew position in a combat ready unit (Exhibit E).

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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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record, we are unpersuaded the requested relief should be granted.  Applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, we do not find these assertions, in and by themselves, sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force.  The applicant has not provided any evidence to show that he met the criteria for award of the Combat Readiness Medal in accordance with the provisions of the governing regulation in effect during the 1966-69 time period.  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 Docket Number BC‑2003-03042 in Executive Session on 1 April 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 Sep 03, w/atchs
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 26 Jan 04
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Feb 04
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Feb 04