RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00400 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The close out date on his Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) be corrected from 10 May 10 to 1 Apr 10 to align with the arrival at his new duty station. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His arrival date at his new duty station is 1 Apr 10 and the 10 May 10 close out date overlaps with his new assignment and should close out when he left his previous assignment. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant currently serves in the Regular Air Force in the grade of E-6. On 9 Dec 10, the applicant was awarded the AFCM for meritorious service for the period 1 Aug 05 through 10 May 10. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends relief be granted indicating that in accordance with AFI 36-2803, Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, the closeout for a decoration being awarded under the condition of Permanent Change of Station is the date of final out processing [from the duty station]. While the applicant has presented no documentation in support of his claim or demonstrating that he has exhausted his administrative avenues of relief by requesting relief from the award approval authority, the closeout date of his AFCM should be changed from 10 May 10 to 31 Mar 10. According to the Military Personnel Data System, the applicant in-processed at his current duty station on 1 Apr 10; therefore, it appears the applicant's decoration close out date should be 31 Mar 10. 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 28 Jul 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has not 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. In this respect, we note this Board is the highest administrative level of appeal within the Air Force. As such, an applicant must first exhaust all available avenues of administrative relief provided by existing law or regulations prior to seeking relief before this Board, as required by the governing Air Force Instruction. The Air Force office of primary responsibility has reviewed this application and indicated there is an available avenue of administrative relief the applicant has not first pursued. In this respect, the applicant should pursue relief from the award approval authority. In view of this, we find this application is not ripe for adjudication at this level, as there exists a subordinate level of appeal that has not first been depleted. Therefore, in view of the above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 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-2014-00400 in Executive Session on 2 Dec 14 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Jan 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Apr 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Jul 14, w/atchs.