RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02800 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect he was awarded: 1. The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) (ADMINISTRATIVELY CORRECTED). 2. The Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal for service in Somalia from September through November 1993. These medals are not reflected on his DD Form 214. He would like his service for Somalia reflected on his DD Form 214. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Air Force who served from 7 July 1988 through 6 July 1994. Documentation from the applicant’s master personnel record reflects the applicant was awarded the AFAM for meritorious service from 18 December 1989 through 25 June 1991 and the AFAM first oak leaf cluster from 3 July 1991 through 2 July 1992, for meritorious service. These AFAMs are reflected on the applicant’s DD Form 214. Additionally, AFPC/DPSID verified the applicant is entitled to the Air Force Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal. His records will be updated accordingly upon final Board action. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate Air Force office of primary responsibility which is at Exhibit C. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the AFAM. The AFAM was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 12 October 1980 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States and foreign military personnel, below the rank of colonel, after 30 September 1981 who while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguishes themselves by meritorious service or achievement. After a thorough review of the applicant’s records, his entitlement to the AFAM with two bronze oak leaf clusters could not be verified. The Defense Accounting and Finance Service verified the applicant received Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger pay for Somalia from 1 September 1993 to 15 November 1993. The complete 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 23 January 2015, 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. We took notice of the available evidence of record and 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion and find that the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to support he was awarded an Air Force Achievement Medal for his service in Somalia. The applicant’s DD Form 214 currently reflects he was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal with one device; however, it appears those medals were awarded prior to the applicant’s service in Somalia. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find relief beyond what has been administratively corrected is not warranted. ________________________________________________________________ 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 BCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02800 in Executive Session on 12 March 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Jul 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Record Excerpts. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 Sep 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Jan 15.