RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00244

 					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Air Force 
Combat Action Medal.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The Combat Action Medal was not added to his record prior to the 
end of his enlistment.  He submits a two page document 
explaining the details of the incident in which he earned the 
Combat Action Medal.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served from 13 January 2000 through 12 November 2007.  He was 
honorably discharged in the grade of staff sergeant.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  On 15 March 2007, the Secretary 
of the Air Force approved establishment of the Air Force Combat 
Action Medal 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 Air Force Combat 
Action Medal will be restricted to members of the United States 
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 risk of grave 
danger; or, are personnel in ground operations who actively 
engage the enemy with direct and lethal fires also may qualify 
even if no direct fire is taken, as long as there was risk of 
grave danger and meets other criteria.  Members who have 
previously received the Army Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army 
Combat Action Badge, the Army Combat Medical Badge, or Navy 
Combat Action Ribbon while assigned to sister service units may 
submit a copy of that award, along with other documentation, to 
the appropriate chain of command for consideration of the Air 
Force Combat Action Medal.

Upon review of the applicant’s official military personnel 
record, his entitlement to the Air Force Combat Medal could not 
be verified. 

On 24 March 2015, the applicant's request was forwarded to the 
original award approval authority, United States Air Forces 
Central Command for consideration.  On 13 April 2015, the United 
States Air Forces Central Command disapproved the applicant's 
request for award of the Air Force Combat Action Medal.  The 
applicant can submit for a one-time request for 
reconsideration with additional documentation not previously 
submitted within one year from the date of awarding authorities 
decision (13 April 2015).

The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 31 July 2015 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.


THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has not 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 error or injustice.  We took notice 
of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of 
the case.  However, the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility has noted the applicant may submit a one-time 
request for reconsideration to the United States Air Forces 
Central Command for consideration of documentation not 
previously reviewed.  Therefore, we agree with the 
opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for 
our conclusion and find the applicant has not been the victim of 
an error or injustice.  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 that all available avenues of 
administrative relief have not been exhausted; and the 
application will only be reconsidered upon submission of 
documentary evidence indicating that said avenues of 
administrative relief have been exhausted.  


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2015-00244 in Executive Session on 29 September 2015 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:


The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Jan 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 Jul 15, w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Jul 15.