RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-03887 INDEX CODE: 100.00, 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following awards and to correct the amount of separation pay annotated in Block 18: 1. The Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) - (Administratively corrected) 2. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S) - (Administratively corrected) 3. The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E) - (Administratively corrected) 4. The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) - (Administratively corrected) 5. The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and two Oak Leaf Clusters (AFESR w/GB & 2OLCs) - (Administratively corrected) 6. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) 7. The Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters (AFGCM w/4OLCs) 8. The Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM) 9. The amount of separation pay annotated in Block 18 - (Administratively corrected) Examiner’s Note: The only remaining items for the Board to consider is the ACM, AFGCM w/4OLCS, and the AFCAM. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214 does not list all of his awards and decorations; it does not reflect any campaign decorations/awards. He provided a Virtual Military Personnel Flight (VMPF) printout which lists all of his decorations prior to his discharge. In addition, the amount of separation pay listed on his DD Form 214 is incorrect and is delaying his compensation/pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, and various emails and other documentation to support his requests. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force from 13 Aug 92 to 29 Jul 07. During this period, the applicant served in Korea from 13 Apr 96 to 12 Apr 97, and served in Iraq from 21 Aug 03 to 13 Nov 03. On 29 Jul 07, he was honorably discharged in the grade of staff sergeant, for completion of required active service. He served 14 years, 11 months, and 17 days on active duty. The applicant’s DD Form 214 has been administratively corrected to reflect award of the KDSM, GWOT-S, GWOT-E, ICM w/1 Bronze Service Star (1BSS), and the AFESR w/GB & 2OLCs. On 20 Jan 09, the applicant’s AFCAM request was forwarded to the United States Air Forces Central (USAFCENT) for consideration. USAFCENT is the approval authority for all Air Force decorations based solely upon service, performance, or achievement recommended for individuals serving in direct support of the USAFCENT mission to include Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. On 1 Dec 09, USAFCENT disapproved the applicant’s request for award of the AFCAM. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the AFCGM w/4OLCs, ACM, and based on the decision of AFCENT, the AFCAM. DPSIDR states the AFGCM is awarded to Air Force enlisted personnel for exemplary conduct during a three-year period of active military service, (or for a one-year period of service during a time of war). The applicant served 14 years, 11 months, and 17 days, of active duty service, which entitles him to the AFGCM w/3 OLCs, as annotated on his DD Form 214. Therefore, the applicant is ineligible for award of a fourth OLC to the AFCGM. The ACM is awarded to members of the Uniformed Services of the United States who serve or have served in Afghanistan (or its contiguous air space) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 24 Oct 01 to a date to be determined. There were no official documents located or provided that verifies the applicant served on the ground in Afghanistan. The AFCAM was approved on 15 Mar 07, by the Secretary of the Air Force to recognize any military member of the Air Force (airman basic thru colonel) who actively participated in combat (ground or air). The principal eligibility criterion is the individual must have been under direct and hostile fire while operating in unsecured space (outside the defended perimeter), or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire. The complete DPSIDR evaluations are attached at Exhibit B and C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 14 May 10, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received (Exhibit D). _________________________________________________________________ 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 with regards to applicant’s request for award of the ACM, AFGCM w/4OLCs, and the AFCAM. 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note, the Air Force office of primary responsibility has administratively corrected the applicant’s record to reflect entitlement to the KDSM, GWOT-S, GWOT-E, ICM w/1BSS, and AFESR w/GB & 2OLCs. Therefore, aside from the aforementioned administrative corrections, we find no basis to recommend further relief in this case. _________________________________________________________________ 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-2008-03887 in Executive Session on 22 June 2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Oct 08, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 27 Jan 09. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 26 Apr 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 May 10. Panel Chair