RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-02825
		INDEX CODE:  107.00
		
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His records should indicate that he was assigned to a combat-ready aircrew while stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base (EAFB), South Dakota, from 1979 to 1981.  

As a combat-ready aircrew member of an EC-135 aircraft he served on the SAC Alert Force for 28 months.

The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on continuous active duty from 26 May 77 through 25 May 82.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant with an effective date of rank of 1 Apr 82.  Applicant was honorably released from active duty on 25 May 82 and transferred to the Air Force Reserve.

Applicant served two years and four months in Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 29150 – Telecommunications System Specialist, and two years in AFSC 29430 – Airborne Communication System Operator.

The Combat Readiness Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve, and to members of other services after 1 Aug 60, for sustained individual combat or mission readiness or preparedness for direct weapon-system employment.  Specifically, a service member must meet the following criteria:  complete an aggregate 24 months of sustained professional performance as a member of U.S. Air Force combat or mission-ready units subject to combat readiness reporting; or be individually certified as combat or mission ready and have maintained individual readiness the entire period according to a major headquarters; or subject to an individual positional evaluation program according to a higher headquarters standard.  The term “Combat Ready” is defined as being professionally and technically qualified in an aircraft crew position in an aircraft that can be used in combat.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends the application be denied, and states, in part, that the applicant’s assigned Base/MAJCOM (EAFB) is responsible for verification of assigned members being considered combat ready.  No official documentation was located in applicant’s record that verifies he was awarded or recommended by his assigned base for the CRM.

The DPSIDR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant states a 3-month hospital stay and assignment to a non-flying position to recover from his injuries disrupted the award process for the Combat Readiness Medal, and consequently no official documentation was in his record.  Nevertheless, at the time of the accident he had flown well over the 24-month requirement and specifically met the criteria for the CRM.

Records should indicate every member of the 4ACCS was awarded the CRM after the 24-month period, because the 4ACCS’s mission was completely based on direct weapon deployment and being a combat-ready force (SAC ALERT FORCE).  For 28 months, he flew and pulled alert duty at both Ellsworth and Minot AFBs without requesting any leave.  He includes names of individuals who can verify his time, service, and can confirm the automatic awarding of the CRM to the 4ACCS.  Also, Communication personnel were administratively a part of the 2148 Communications Squadron, but assigned to the 4ACCS.  The ACCS was decommissioned in 1993.

Applicant's complete response 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.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  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-2007-02825 in Executive Session on 28 November 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2007-02825 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Aug 07, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 24 Sep 07.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Oct 07.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs.