RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-02048
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  None

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Air Force Recognition Ribbon (AFRR) and the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon (NCOPMER).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He met the requirements for award of the requested awards.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty from 26 Jan 76 to 4 May 79, attaining the grade of senior airman (E-4).  On 30 Apr 79, the applicant requested discharge from the Air Force for hardship.  The applicant’s request was granted and he was discharged effective 4 May 79.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects that he was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM).

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s requests.  The applicant failed to respond to their 19 Jul 04 electronic message to provide the necessary documents to substantiate his eligibility for the AFRR and NCOPMER.  Based on their review of the applicant’s complete military record, they did not locate any documentation verifying his entitlement to the requested awards.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In his response to the Air Force evaluation, the applicant provided photocopies of an honor graduate certificate from a training course at McDill AFB, a copy of a plaque for Airman of the Month, and a certificate for graduation from the NCO Orientation course.  Applicant also requests, if possible, he be advised of the date and his grade when he was awarded the AFGCM.

The applicant’s complete submission is at 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 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 reviewing the documentation submitted by the applicant with his rebuttal to the Air Force evaluation, we have determined he does not meet the requirements for award of either the Air Force Recognition Ribbon (AFRR) or NCO PME Graduate Ribbon (NCOPMER).  Neither of these decorations is listed in AFR 900-48, dated 29 Oct 76, the governing directive for the Air Force decoration program at the time of the applicant’s service.  Additionally, we were not able to find within AFR 900-48 any decoration the applicant would qualify for based on the documentation he submitted to the Board.  Finally, the documentation submitted by the applicant also does not meet the requirements of the current instruction, AFI 36-2803, dated 15 Jun 01, for award of the AFRR and NCOPMER.  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-2004-02048 in Executive Session on 19 October 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 Jun 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 26 Aug 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Sep 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Sep 04.