RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04203 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Award of the AFCM is listed on his DD Form 214; however, he did not receive the award. This decoration would have been awarded from the 607th CBCS in Camp Humphreys, Korea. Unfortunately, this organization no longer exists and he would like the points toward testing for staff sergeant. In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: During the time period in question, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 13 November 2001. On 24 November 2006, the applicant was honorably released and transferred to the Air Force Reserve. He served 5 years and 12 days and was credited with 1 year, 10 months and 27 days of foreign service. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states 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 by the Soldier’s Medal (or the Airman’s Medal now authorized for the Air Force) may be considered for the AFCM. The 607th Combat Communications Squadron, Camp Humphreys Army Installation, Korea, has been deactivated. It appears the AFCM update could be an error made during the out-processing of the applicant’s paperwork or DD Form 214 as there is no information concerning the AFCM updated in the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS). Although the applicant’s DD Form 214 dated 24 November 2006 shows AFCM listed under the awards and decorations section, there is no official documentation located within the applicant’s official military record or provided with his claim verifying he was recommended for and awarded the AFCM for his service with the 607th Combat Communications Squadron. The applicant has provided email traffic dated 13 October 2011, in which he inquired about the AFCM with the 51st FSS/DPMPE Awards and Decorations and 51st MSG/Records Management at Osan Air Base, Korea. On 14 October 2011, the 51st FSS/DPMPE advised the applicant they did not have any record of the AFCM and for the applicant to contact his former supervisor with the 607th Combat Communication Squadron to see if the AFCM recommendation package was ever submitted into official channels. The applicant does not state whether he contacted his former supervisor nor has he provided any documentation to verify any such attempts; however, DPSIDRA has verified that both reporting officials on the applicant’s final Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) from the 607th Combat Communications Squadron are currently on active duty. The applicant also does not state nor has he provided any documentation verifying any attempts to obtain guidance from his former Major Command (MAJCOM), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), due to his former unit being deactivated. DPSIDRA is unable to verify an injustice exists without official documentation from the original recommending official that verifies the applicant was recommended for or awarded the AFCM. The DPSIDRA complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOY recommends denial. DPSOY states the applicant out- processed from Wright-Patterson AFB OH, after his assignment in Korea and assuming the applicant informed them he had a AFCM pending, they gave him the benefit of the doubt by adding the decoration without official documentation. There is no official documentation in his military record and he has not provided the citation or the order. Furthermore, DPSOY noticed the official signature in block 22 on his DD Form 214 is missing. A new DD Form 214 will be accomplished. Based on the board’s decision, they will maintain the AFCM or remove the AFCM when they reaccomplish the form to correct the signature error. The DPSOY complete evaluation is at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 16 December 2011, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ 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. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, after reviewing the evidence of record we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not provided evidence showing his entitlement to the Air Force Commendation Medal. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04203 in Executive Session on 27 March 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04203 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 October 2011, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 15 November 2011. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOY, dated 15 December 2011. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 December 2011.