RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03809 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) be added to his record. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 1. At the time he did not realize that officers received permanent change of station (PCS) awards so he never asked. 2. He discovered that his supervisor at the time did not put him in for a PCS award and was told there was nothing they could do since it was past three years. Based on the three-year rule, he did not pursue any actions. 3. His current senior leadership questioned why he did not receive an award considering he had good officer performance reports (OPRs). When he questioned his chain of command they expressed disbelief and recommended that an award be given. In support of his request, the applicant provides various letters of support, his AF Forms 707B, Company Grade Officer Performance Report (2LT thru CAPT) for the period beginning 4 Sep 03 thru 3 Sept 2006 and a proposed citation for the AFCM. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: During the time period in question, the applicant was assigned to the 45th Space Wing, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force after 24 March 1958, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique. Acts of courage which do not involve the voluntary risk of life required for the Soldier's Medal (or the Airman's Medal now authorized for the Air Force) may be considered for the AFCM. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states in accordance with AFI 36-2803, Awards and Decorations Program, no individual is automatically entitled to an award upon completion of an operational temporary duty (TDY) or departure for an assignment. There is no justification provided by the applicant's former chain of command as to why a recommendation for a PCS decoration was not processed within a timely manner. In the letter of endorsement from his former commander, he states an administrative error resulted in the applicant not receiving an end of tour decoration; however, there is no explanation as to what the administrative error was. It appears for whatever reason, the applicant simply was not recommended for a PCS decoration. DPSIDRA states they are unable to verify an injustice exists. The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit B. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provided a letter from his former commander. The commander states he witnessed the applicant’s accomplishments and achievements and concurs with the previous commanders and colleagues that attest to his distinctive performance and results. The former commander states the AFCM was warranted then and should be awarded now. However, significant turnovers and personnel issues concerning the applicant’s then supervisor are the most likely reasons this was not properly recommended and awarded at the time. The complete response is at 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting relief. In this regard, we note the applicant has provided letters of support from several senior officers stating he did not receive the AFCM due to an administrative oversight. We note the office of primary responsibility (OPR) states the applicant did not provide justification as to why the decoration was not processed in a timely manner. However, in response to the OPR’s advisory, his former commander states significant turnovers and personnel issues concerning the applicant’s supervisor at the time were contributing factors as to why the AFCM was not awarded at the time. With no basis to question the applicant’s former commander or the three other senior officers’ integrity in this matter, it is our opinion that any doubt should be resolved in the applicant's favor. In view of the above, it is our opinion that his request for the award of the AFCM is warranted and the record should be corrected as indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, for meritorious service for the period of 4 September 2003 to 3 September 2006. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2011-03809 in Executive Session on 14 Dec 11, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The Board voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC- 2011-038098 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Aug 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 26 Oct 11. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Nov 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SMC/GPC dated 28 Nov 11.