RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03399 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The Master High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) Badge be added to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: During his active military service, he completed 218 jumps after attending the HALO training course. This number of jumps exceeds the requirement for the Master HALO Badge established  7 July 97, after his retirement. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s military personnel records, he served in the Regular Air Force during the matter under review. On 5 Jun 61, the applicant was awarded the Parachutist Badge. On 1 Aug 66, the applicant was awarded the Master Parachutist Badge. On 30 Nov 75, the applicant was released from active duty and retired, effective 1 Dec 75 and was credited with 20 years and 3 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), attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AF/A3O-AIF recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicant’s records do show he was awarded the Basic Parachutist Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge. However, during the time period of the applicant’s jump history, there was no Military Master HALO badge, nor was there a Military Free Fall (MFF) badge. The current instruction states HALO parachutists are awarded the Basic Military Free Fall Parachutist badge. Qualifications and/or badges listed in AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges, cannot be retroactively awarded. The OPR is indicating that it’s not that the applicant would not be qualified under today’s standard as h states his number of HALO jumps exceeds the requirements for the HALO Master Badge; however, the badge the applicant is requesting did not exist during the time of his service. A complete copy of the AF/A3O-AIF 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 12 May 14 for review and comment within 30 days. In response, the applicant provides detailed copies of his personal parachute jump log, listing only those jumps that qualify as HALO, numbering approximately 380, as well as other associated certificates and information (Exhibit E). ________________________________________________________________ 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. 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 of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 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 issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ________________________________________________________________ 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-2013-03399 in Executive Session on 20 May 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 15 Jul 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Letter, USAF/A3O-AIF, dated 10 Jun 14. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 May 14. Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 10 Jun 14. 1 2