RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 03-03746
		INDEX CODE:  110.00
		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 reflect his entitlement to the NCO Professional Military Education (NCO PME) Graduate Ribbon.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received a certificate for completion of the NCO Preparatory Course.  

In support of his appeal, applicant submits a copy of his NCO Preparatory Course certificate, an excerpt from AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, dated 15 June 2001, and a copy of his DD Form 214 with correction.  Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 21 January 1977.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman (E‑4), having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 22 December 1976.  He was thereafter appointed a sergeant (E-4).  He received five Airman Performance Reports for the combined rating period 27 January 1973 through 30 September 1976, in which the overall evaluations were 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, and 7, respectively.

On 29 December 1976, the applicant’s noncommissioned officer status was vacated.  On 14 January 1977, after a careful review of the applicant’s unit personnel record and recommendations of his supervisor and commander, the wing commander nonselected him for reenlistment.  On 21 January 1977, the applicant acknowledged that he understood this action rendered him ineligible for immediate reenlistment and enlistment under the Prior Service Enlistment Program.  

On 21 January 1977, the applicant was honorably discharged after serving four years on active duty.  A reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of 2X (First-term airman considered but not selected for reenlistment under the SRP) was assigned.  His decorations included the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

On 3 September 2003, during a records review, Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center identified an error in Item 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendation, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, and issued the applicant a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, reflecting the award of the Air Force Longevity Service Award.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied.  DPPPR states that the applicant does not meet the criteria for the period of service when he was on active duty and 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:

On 27 February 2004 a copy of the Air Force evaluation was sent to the applicant for review and comment.  As of this date, this office has not received a 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.  The applicant’s entitlement to the NCO Professional Military Education (PME) Graduate Ribbon has not been established on the basis of the evidence submitted.  While his case file reflects he did successfully complete the NCO Preparatory Course on 30 April 1976, the manual in effect at the time of his course completion (AFM 900-3) and the governing regulation in effect at the time of his separation (AFR 900-48) did not authorize the award of the NCO Academy Ribbon based on completion of a Preparatory Course.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for the conclusion that the applicant has not been a victim of an error or injustice.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find not 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 probable 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 03-03746 in Executive Session on 22 April 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered for AFBCMR Docket Number 03-03746:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Nov 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 20 Feb 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Feb 04.