RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBERS:  BC-2004-00163
		INDEX CODE 107.00
	 	COUNSEL:  None

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214 reflect receipt of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He submits a locally produced certificate for the AFEM for the period 10 Jan 99-3 Mar 99 in support of Operation Southern Watch while assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 332nd Air Expeditionary Group, Camp Doha, Kuwait, signed by the commander.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 29 Sep 93, and was progressively promoted to senior airman on 29 Sep 96.

During the period indicated on the certificate provided by the applicant, he was an aircraft structural maintenance journeyman assigned to the 347th Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Moody AFB, GA.  The Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) from 1 Apr 98 through 31 Mar 99 notes the applicant volunteered to deploy with the 41st Rescue Squadron in support of Operation Southern Watch.  The EPR for the period 1 Apr 99 through 31 Mar 00 was a referral report as a result of an Article 15 for misuse of the internet on a government computer. This EPR also indicates the applicant volunteered to deploy with the 41st Rescue Squadron in support of Operation Southern Watch.

A Report on Individual Person (RIP), dated 15 Feb 01, does not reflect receipt of the AFEM. The RIP also notes the applicant was participating in the Weight Management Program (WMP).

On 17 Mar 01, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of senior airman, for completion of required active service, after 7 years, 5 months, and 19 days of active service.

On 1 Mar 04, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA advised the applicant that his records did not indicate he was deployed to the Persian Gulf in direct support of Operation Southern Watch, and the locally-produced certificate for the AFEM was not a valid or official document. He was asked to provide a copy of the temporary duty (TDY) order showing the specific operation for which he was deployed and a copy of his travel voucher showing the inclusive days he was in the Persian Gulf.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR contends that, for award of the AFEM, a member must provide a TDY special order and travel voucher to prove participation in an operation awarded the AFEM. The applicant has not done so and the locally produced certificate is not an official document. Therefore, denial is recommended.

A complete copy of the evaluation 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 Apr 04 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 timely filed.

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. The applicant submitted a locally produced certificate for the AFEM in support of Operation Southern Watch for the period of 10 Jan 99-3 Mar 99. We also note that two of his EPRs indicate he volunteered to deploy with the 41st Rescue Squadron in support of Operation South Watch. However, despite being invited to do so, the applicant has not provided any evidence such as a temporary duty special order and/or travel voucher proving that he did, in fact, deploy in support of Operation Southern Watch. We therefore adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has not sustained his burden of having suffered either an error or an injustice. In view of the above and absent persuasive evidence to the contrary, we conclude this appeal should be denied.

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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 18 May 2004 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-00163 was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Jan 04, w/atch.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dated 16 Apr 04.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Apr 04.

                                   Panel Chair