RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04194 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), and National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was not awarded these awards due to being separated while his unit was deployed and being in a highly deployed unit, often under change of supervision. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 29 Dec 99 and served on active duty until 7 Nov 03, when he was honorably discharged due to physical disability and credited with 4 years, 11 months, and 9 days of total active service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), indicating that after a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record and documentation provided, there is a lack of official documentation verifying the applicant was recommended for or awarded either decoration. While the applicant has provided a supporting statement from a security forces chief wherein he states the applicant is deserving of the MSM and AFCM, in response to a request for additional information on the matter, he has since recanted his statement in regard to the MSM, but stands by his statement in regard to the AFCM and other awards requested by the applicant. Additionally, the applicant has not provided justification or supporting documentation that reflects he was eligible for award of the MSM and AFCM nor did he provide evidence of an error or an injustice. As for his request for the NDSM, in view of the fact that his DD Form 214 already reflects he was awarded the NDSM, no further action is required. A review of the applicant’s records revealed that he should have been awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA w/V & 1 BOLC), Iraq Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star (ICM w/1 BSS), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (AfgCM w/1 BSS), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E), and Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and 3 bronze oak leaf clusters (AFESR w/GB & 3 BOLC), and Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) and his official military personnel records will be administratively corrected by AFPC/DPSOY. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 24 Feb 13 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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 an error or injustice regarding the applicant’s request to correct his records to reflect award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), and National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). 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 (OPR) 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 OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the award of the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA w/V & 1 BOLC), Iraq Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star (ICM w/1 BSS), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (AfgCM w/1 BSS), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E), and Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and 3 bronze oak leaf clusters (AFESR w/GB & 3 BOLC), and Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) they have taken action to correct his records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence reflecting the applicant’s eligibility of award of the MSM and AFCM, we find no basis for us to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material 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-2012-04194 in Executive Session on 23 Apr 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 Sep 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 Jan 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Feb 13.