RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-02211 INDEX CODE:	107.00

COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED:	YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His	records	be	corrected	to	reflect	the	Small	Arms	Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He	was	an	“expert”	shot	while	assigned	to	Lackland Air	Force Base, TX, during Jun – Jul 79.

The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant served on active duty in the Air Force from 20 Jun
79 – 3 Sep 80.	His records reflect he served 1 year, 2 months, and 12 days of active military service.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states the required AF Form 522, USAF Ground Weapons Training Data that verifies expert marksmanship was not located in the applicant’s military record nor was it provided by the applicant.

The SAEMR is awarded to all Air Force service members who, after
1 Jan 63, qualify as “expert” in small-arms marksmanship with either the M-16  rifle or issue handgun on the Air Force qualification course or on a prescribed course or who completes the Combat Rifle Program.

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 10 Oct 08, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received.

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. Other than his own assertions, the applicant has not provided any evidence substantiating that he met the required qualifications for award of the SAEMR. Based on the evidence presented we are unable to verify his entitlement to the SAEMR. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

4.	The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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.

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2008-02211 in Executive Session on 13 Nov 08, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2008-02211 was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Jun 08.
Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 1 Jul 08. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Oct 08.