RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04021 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be awarded the master Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) badge. 2. He be awarded to the Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The requirement for award of the master EOD badge is 8 years. He spent 11 years as an EOD technician with multiple combat deployments. The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider his untimely application because he competes with civilians and adding the master EOD badge to his records would be advantageous to his career. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to information extracted from the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, on 29 December 1997, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. On 7 November 2008, the applicant was discharged in the grade of staff sergeant and was credited with 10 years, 10 months, and 9 days of active service. He served in Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 3E871, EOD Craftsman for a period of 10 years and 8 months. According to AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personnel Appearance of Air Force Personnel, dated 2 August 2006, Incorporating Change 1, 6 August 2007, paragraph 5.9.3, Occupational Badges, “Enlisted wear the basic badge after completing technical school. Wear the senior badge after award of the 7-skill level, and the master badge as a master sergeant or above with 5 years in the specialty from award of the 7-skill level.” AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the AFCAM indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. On 15 March 2007, the Secretary of the Air Force approved the AFCAM to recognize members of the Air Force (airman basic through colonel) who actively participated in ground or air combat. Nomination for the award of the AFCAM will be restricted to members of the US Armed Forces who on or after 11 September 2001: Deliberately go into the enemy’s domain (outside the wire) to conduct official duties, either on the ground or in the air, and have come under enemy fire by lethal weapons while performing those duties, and are at risk of grave danger; or, while defending the base (inside/on the wire), must have come under fire and engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire, and are at the risk of grave danger; or are personnel in ground operations who actively engage the enemy with direct and lethal fires may qualify even if no direct fire is taken, as long as there was risk of grave danger and the other criteria is met. Retroactive awards prior to 11 September 2001 are not authorized. There is a lack of official documentation in the applicant’s official military personnel verifying he was recommended for and awarded the AFCAM. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoD Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. A complete copy of the DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial of the applicant’s request to add the master EOD Badge to his records. The applicant did not provide his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, which would show the amount of time he was in the career field, his rank, and his military education. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In further support of his appeal, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Bronze Star Medal citation and narrative summary, Letter of Evaluation, and numerous other documents related to his requests. His complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit F. 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 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 the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. While the applicant believes he meets the criteria for award of the master badge, his DD Form 214 reflects that he was discharged in the grade of staff sergeant, not master sergeant. Therefore, he does not qualify for award of the master EOD badge. Additionally, there was no evidence that he qualified and was recommended for the AFCAM. In view of the above and in absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 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-2014-04021 in Executive Session on 1 September 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04021 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 September 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 5 December 2014. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 22 January 2015 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 June 2015. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs.