RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03729 COUNSEL: YES HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Air Medal (AM) for his combat missions flown and add the AM to his DD214. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: There was much confusion as to which unit was to submit his AM paperwork during his treatment, medical boarding, and subsequent medical retirement. His combat-related injuries prevented the appropriate attention needed to process the award. To support his case, he provides an AM and Aerial Achievement Medal (AAM) Mission Information - Justification Sheet (USCENTAF Form 1), a Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations form (AF IMT 3994) for a period of service from 12 Sep 09 to 5 Feb 10, and several ARMS Aircrew/Mission Flight Data Documents (AFTO Form 781s) highlighting his flight service during the period. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Delaware Army National Guard on 2 Mar 89 and subsequently enlisted with the Delaware Air National Guard on 13 Nov 02. On 13 Sep 09, the applicant was activated in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and served as an Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman at Ramstein AB, Germany, until 4 Feb 2010. 0n 01 Mar 10, he was activated in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM at the 166th Airlift Wing, New Castle, Delaware, until 28 Jan 12 when he was placed on the temporary disability retired list (TDRL). On 27 Nov 12, the applicant was removed from the TDRL, permanently retired, and credited with 5 years, 2 months, and 11 days of active service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the applicant’s personnel record, DPSIDR was unable to verify the award of the AM. The applicant provided an AF IMT 3994 for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM and the USCENTAF Form 1 but neither was signed and endorsed by those in the applicant’s chain of command at the time the act/achievement occurred. In order to reasonably consider the applicant’s request, he needs to submit a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement from someone within his chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force, or the Chief of Staff. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFHRA/RS recommends withholding approval until after inquiring with the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware National Guard, for comment as to why the award package was not submitted. AFHRA/RS indicates there is possible evidence of an error or injustice stating it is only administrative policy and procedures preventing recognition. AFHRA/RS concedes that the AFTO 781s supplied by the applicant are accurate (confirmed by the pilots that signed them) and concedes that the applicant met all the qualifications for being bestowed the AM (Basic) award; however, qualifying and being submitted are two different situations. A number of discrepancies on the AF Form 3994 would have forced the USAFCENT decoration processing unit to reject the package. AFHRA/RS provides an analysis of policy, extracts from official USAF unit history, interviews with other participants, and summary justifying the recommendation with the evaluation. A complete copy of the AFHRA/RS evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 28 Jan 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has 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 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 opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been a victim of an error or injustice and that no evidence was presented to show the applicant was submitted for the decoration. In order to reasonably consider the request, the applicant needs to submit a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge of the achievement from someone within his chain of command at the time of the achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements. 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-2014-03729 in Executive Session on 23 Feb 16 and 2 Mar 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03729 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 Sep 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 24 Nov 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFHRA/RS, dated 20 Jan 16, w/atchs. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Jan 16.