RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00246

  XXXXXXXXXX					COUNSEL:  NONE

							HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service (GWOT-S) Medal.

2.  He be awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM).

3.  He be awarded the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM)

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He served in the Air National Guard (ANG) from 22 May 1996 through 21 May 2002.  He also held a federal wage-grade civilian position with the Air Force from July 1999 to March 2002 and meets the criteria for the GWOT-S Medal and the NDSM.

He corrected errors that may have prevented personnel injuries and equipment damage.  Therefore, he should be awarded the AFAM. 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

According to Special Order P-84 dated 22 May 1996, the applicant enlisted in the ANG effective 22 May 1996.

On 15 August 1996, the applicant entered a period of active duty from 15 August 1996 to 10 October 1997.  His narrative reason for separation is “Completion of Active Duty for Training.”  He was credited with 1 year, 1 month and 26 days of active service.

According to the applicant’s NGB Form 22, Departments of the Army and the Air Force National Guard Bureau Report of Separation and Record of Service, he served in the Arizona ANG from 22 May 1996 to 21 May 2002, and transferred to the Air Force Reserve to complete his military service obligation.  He was credited with 6 years of service.

Via Reserve Order CA-007878 dated 26 May 2004, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve effective 21 May 2004.

The GWOT-S is authorized to members who either directly or indirectly participated in or served in support of GWOT specified operations (Airport Security Operations, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom) on or after 11 September 2001, and to a future date to be determined.  Service members must be assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in or serving in support of designated operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. Personnel supporting the GWOT in a non-deployed status, whether stationed at home or overseas are eligible for the GWOT-S Medal.  Members in an accession status (i.e., USAF Cadets, ROTC, basic trainees, technical school trainees, and basic training graduates, etc.), or who are assigned to direct duty assignments are not authorized the GWOT-S Medal until they have been assigned to the first permanent duty station, and served 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in their permanent unit of assignment.

The AFAM is awarded to United States and foreign military personnel in the grade of O-6 and below for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force.  According to AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, all individual decorations and unit awards must be properly processed using a 3-step process:  proper recommendation and submittal into official channels, approval of the recommendation, and presentation of the approved decoration or award.

The NDSM was established to recognize honorable active military service during periods of conflict or national crisis.  Members of the Armed Forces of the United States, to include the US Coast Guard, who are on Active Duty, members of the Selected Reserve in good standing, members of other than the Selected Reserve called to Active Duty, cadets in the USAF Academy, and USAF members who have completed USAF Basic Training are eligible for the medal.  The GWOT [11 September 2001 – Date to be determined] is a qualifying United States military operation for which the NDSM may be authorized.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/A1PS recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the GWOT-S Medal indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The applicant failed to present any documentation showing he performed with his permanent unit of assignment supporting a DoD-approved operation for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days between 11 September 2001 and 21 May 2002.

A complete copy of the NGB/A1PS evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 4 November 2015, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Based on the dates in the applicant’s NGB Form 22, an additional advisory was requested to discuss whether the applicant met the criteria to be awarded the GWOT-S Medal.

NGB/A1PS’ first revised advisory, recommends approval of the applicant’s request for the GWOT-S Medal.  The applicant’s separation documents show he served on active duty from 15 August 1996 to 10 October 1997, and in the ANG from 22 May 1996 to 21 May 2002, which substantiates he performed in support of DoD approved operations at his permanent unit of assignment for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive between 11 September 2001 and 21 May 2002, and meets the criteria for the GWOT-S Medal.

A complete copy of the NGB/A1PS evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 24 March 2016, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/A1PS did not address the applicant’s requests for award of the AFAM and the NDSM.  Therefore, an additional advisory was requested in which NGB/A1PS recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the AFAM.  AFI 36-2803, paragraph 1.15.6. states “No member is automatically entitled to a decoration upon PCS, PCA, retirement, separation, completion of a TDY, or reaching/achieving other points at which a decoration may be recommended.  Supervisors must decide at these points if a decoration is appropriate.”  The applicant has not provided any official documentation to verify he was recommended for, or awarded the AFAM.

Notwithstanding the above, NGB/A1PS recommends approval of the applicant’s request for award of the NDSM.  Based on the applicant’s records, he served in the armed forces from May 1996 to May 2004; therefore, he meets the criteria for the NDSM.  While not requested, NGB/A1PS also provided a second revised advisory that now recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the GWOT-S Medal, incorrectly stating the applicant has not provided any supporting documentation to substantiate he was permanently assigned to a unit in support of DoD approved operations for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive dates between 1 September 2001 and 21 May 2001.

A complete copy of the NGB/A1PS evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit G.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

His service pales in comparison to his fore fathers’ service during World War II or the Vietnam War.  However, his actions deserve recognition.  He initiated changes to Air Force technical manuals, saved valuable time, financial resources, material resources, and most importantly his actions likely prevented harm to Air Force personal.

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit I.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the available evidence and the applicant’s complete submission, the applicant has not provided substantial evidence to persuade us that his records should be corrected to show he should be awarded the AFAM.  Therefore, the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof that he has been the victim of an error or injustice.  In the absence of persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting this portion of his application.

4.  Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice regarding the applicant’s request for award of the NDSM.  Having carefully reviewed this application, we agree with the recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has been the victim of either an error or an injustice.  With regard to the GWOT-S Medal, we note the OPR included conflicting recommendations for this award.  However, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the applicant has provided a copy of his NGB Form 22, which verifies he served in the Arizona ANG for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days between 11 September 2001 and 21 May 2002.  Therefore, we agree with the OPR’s first revised recommendation and adopt its rationale as the basis for our decision that the applicant has been the victim of either an error or an injustice.  Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

a. He was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal for the period 11 September 2001 to 21 May 2002.

b. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for the period 22 May 1996 to 21 May 2004.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00246 in Executive Session on 1 December 2015, 25 April 2016, 1 June 2016, and 23 June 2016, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  Due to the unavailability of XXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXXX will sign as Acting Panel Chair.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 January 2015, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Memorandum, NGB/A1PS, dated 30 October 2015.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 November 2015.
Exhibit E.  Memorandum, NGB/A1PS, dated 30 October 2015.
Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 March 2016.
Exhibit G.  Memorandum, NGB/A1PS, dated 24 May 2016,  
  w/atchs.
Exhibit H.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 3 June 2016.
Exhibit I.  Email, Applicant, dated 4 June 2016.