RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01547 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following Air Force Occupational Badge, Qualification Badge, and Medals: a. Communications Occupational Badge (Administratively approved) b. Combat Crewmember Qualification Badge c. Bosnia Combat Medal d. Croatia Combat Medal e. Serbia Combat Medal f. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal with one Bronze Service Star g. Cold War Medal APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His DD Form 214 does not accurately reflect his Air Force Occupational and Qualification Badges. It also does not reflect all of his Air Force Medals earned throughout his career. He served as a Telecommunications Operations Specialist for 2 years and earned his five skill level before retraining into Airborne Communications Systems career field. This fact should qualify him to wear the Communications Occupational Badge; however, this badge does not appear on his DD Form 214. Once he became airborne qualified and flew thirty missions against potentially hostile Soviet aircraft and earned an Air Medal, his commanding officer presented him with the Combat Crewmember Qualification Badge; however, this badge does not appear on his DD Form 214. During his career he was presented with 2 NATO Medals for his service in Kosovo and Bosnia; however, these are not reflected on his DD Form 214. He was also present in Serbia and believes there are multiple decorations from that region missing from his records. In support of this request, the applicant provided copies of two DD Form 214s, a copy of a NATO Medal Award Certificate, copy of a Meritorious Service Medal Citation as proof of service in the Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia theaters of combat operations. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 1 Oct 78. On 30 Apr 99, the applicant retired and was credited with 20 years, 1 month, and 29 days of active service. His DD Form 214 reflects the following Decoration, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized. - Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leave Clusters - Air Medal - Aerial Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster - Air Force Commendation Medal - Air Force Achievement Medal - National Defense Service Medal - Humanitarian Service Medal - Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon / Pistol - Combat Readiness Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters - NATO Medal - Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters - Joint Meritorious Unit Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters - Armed Forces Service Medal - Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal - Air Force Training Ribbon - Air Force Longevity Service Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters - Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five Oak Leaf Clusters - NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster - Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Long Tour) with Oak Leaf Cluster The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The Combat Crewmember Qualification Badge was established on 1 Sep 64 and then eliminated in Aug 93. This was done under the auspices of addressing uniform accoutrements to eliminate duplication, achieve standardization, and promote an uncluttered appearance. Therefore, the applicant is not authorized to wear this qualification badge. After a review of the applicant’s official military record they confirmed he served as a Telecommunications Operation Specialist for more than 2 years; therefore, he is authorized to wear the Communications Occupational Badge. Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicants’ record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicant provided a NATO issued certificate awarding him the NATO Medal-Yugoslavia for his service in support of Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR. They did not locate any official documentation, nor did the applicant provide any, to verify he served in direct support of any additional NATO operation for which a NATO Medal is authorized. Although the applicant served in support of Operation DENY FLIGHT, this operation also falls under the NATO Medal-Yugoslavia and therefore would not be an additional award as the applicant already received recognition of this NATO Medal. The Cold War Medal is not an official award of the United States Air Force or Department of Defense Based on their review of the applicant’s official military personnel records, they have determined that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded: - Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Armed Forces Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicants’ record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In support of his request, the applicant provided copies of his United States Air Force Flying History Report which show his combat time and support while assigned to the 67th Special Operations Squadron. He also included copies of his Military Flight Log which provided the date of each mission, aircraft tail number and location of takeoff and landing. 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, to include his rebuttal comments, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 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-2014-01547 in Executive Session on 2 Jun 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01547 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Apr 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 12 Jan 15. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Feb 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Apr 15. Exhibit F. Applicant’s Letter, dated 13 Apr 15.