RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03925 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her records be corrected to reflect the following: a. Meritorious Unit Award, First Oak Leaf Cluster. b. Deployment to Al Udeid, Qatar. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar and was assigned to a unit that received the Meritorious Unit Award; however, her records were never updated. The Board should consider her untimely application in the interest of justice because her records were never evaluated for awards during the time of her deployment. In support of her requests, the applicant provides a copy of a travel voucher. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s paid travel voucher dated 14 Jun 07, she deployed to Al Udeid, QATAR during the period 10 Jan 07 – 13 May 07. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: NGB/A1PS recommends denial and states in part, that the applicant has not exhausted avenues of administrative relief. In this respect, the applicant needs to submit copies of her records review from the virtual Military Personnel Flight (vMPF), DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty; or contingency order issued for the time period in question, and a special order indicating that she is eligible for award of the Meritorious Unit Award to the Force Support Squadron (FSS) for review. The complete A1PS evaluation is at Exhibit B. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 10 Feb 15, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 2. 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 (Force Support Squadron) the applicant has not first pursued. 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. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that he has not exhausted all available avenues of administrative relief prior to submitting her application to the BCMR; and the application will only be reconsidered upon exhausting all subordinate avenues of administrative relief. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03925 in Executive Session on 12 May 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Sep 14, w/atch. Exhibit B. Letter, NGB/A1PS, dated 4 Nov 14. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 15.