RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00349

  XXXXXXXXXX					COUNSEL:  NONE

							HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The following changes be made to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty:

a.  Block 12f, Foreign Service, add 4 months and 12 days.

b.  Block 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized (All Periods of Service), add the following:

1.  Airman’s Medal. (Will be administratively corrected) 
2.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters. (Will be administratively corrected) 
3.  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. (Will be administratively corrected)
4.  Armed Forces Service Medal.
5.  Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon.
6.  Reserve Good Conduct Medal [sic] with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
7.  Good Conduct Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
8.  Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
9.  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
10. Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
11. Air Force Longevity Service Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

c.  Block 27, Reentry Code 4A, which denotes “Separated for hardship or dependency reasons,” be changed to allow reentry into the Armed Services.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The aforementioned errors are based on an inadequate review of his service records by the Air Force and Air National Guard (ANG).  He is enlisting in the United States Army and needs his records corrected.

In support of his requests, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States; SF Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records and DD Form 1610, Request and Authorization for TDY Travel of DoD Personnel, which indicates his TDY travel to the United Kingdom.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 7 April 1992, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.

On 3 September 1999, the applicant received an honorable discharge and was credited with 7 years, 4 months and 25 days of active service.  His reentry code is 4A.

According to Special Order AQ-70 dated 17 May 2007, the applicant enlisted in the ANG effective 5 May 2007.

Via Special Order AS-5 dated 2 October 2008, the applicant was relieved from the ANG effective 2 October 2008, and was transferred to the Air Force Reserve effective 3 October 2008.

Via Reserve Order CA-007689 dated 8 May 2012, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve effective 4 May 2012.

The Air Force Good Conduct Medal is awarded to Airmen for exemplary conduct during a three-year period of active military service, (or for a one-year period of service during a time of war).

The Air Force Longevity Service Award is presented to active duty personnel based on an aggregate of four years of honorable active federal military service with any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or Reserve component.  Reserve Component personnel are credited with the award for each four years of satisfactory military service which are creditable to a reservist for retirement. An Oak Leaf Cluster is worn for each additional four years of creditable service.

According to the applicant’s Point Credit Accounting and Reporting System summary, he is credited with 9 years, 5 months and 2 days satisfactory service for retirement.

AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, Table 2 (Issuing DD Form 214), Rule 20 (Foreign Service) states that total Foreign Service during continuous active military service includes service in Alaska and Hawaii and other areas outside the continental United States.  This includes any period of temporary duty of one day or more.  Any source document may be used that shows actual time a member was overseas, except TDY orders.

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, E, G, and I.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s requests for award of the Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal [sic], Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, United Nations Medal, and the NATO Medal indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

The Good Conduct Medal is awarded to enlisted members who have honorably completed three continuous years of active military service subsequent to 26 August 1940, and who are recommended by their commanding officers for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity.  This medal is only awarded to Airman prior to the establishment of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal on 1 June 1963.  The applicant does not qualify for the Good Conduct Medal based on his dates of service from 7 April 1992 to 3 September 1999.  However, he is eligible for award of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

The Armed Forces Service Medal may be awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who on or after 1 June 1992, were permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that deployed to participate in a United States Military operation within a designated area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days (or for the full period when an operation is less than 30 days) or for 60 non-consecutive days.  There is no official documentation in the applicant's official military record verifying he deployed to the area of eligibility in support of an operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal is authorized.

The Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon is awarded to Air Force active duty, reserve, and guard personnel who complete a contingency deployment after 1 October 1999.  Deployed status is defined as either deployment on contingency, exercise, deployment orders or members sourced in direct support (in-theater or out) of expeditionary operations with an overnight away from home station.  To qualify for the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, individuals must have deployed for 45 consecutive days or 90 nonconsecutive days on a deployed status.  The applicant’s dates of service in the Regular Air Force from 7 April 1992 to 3 September 1999, do not meet the criteria for award of the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon.

The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon is awarded to all United States Air Force members who after 1 January 1963, qualify as “expert” in small-arms marksmanship with either the M-16 rifle or issue handgun.  There is no official documentation such as a Special Order or AF Form 522, USAF Ground Weapons Training Data, verifying the applicant qualified as “expert” with either the issue handgun or M-16 rifle for award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

The United Nations Medal is authorized by the Secretary General of the United Nations for specific United Nations missions and actions.  Executive Order 11139 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to approve acceptance and wear by United States service members who meet the criteria specified by the Secretary General of the United Nations.  The Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may approve the acceptance and wear of North Atlantic Treaty Organization medals authorized by the Secretary General of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and offered to the United States Representative to North Atlantic Treaty Organization to recognize United States Service members who meet the eligibility criteria specified by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A review of the applicant’s records failed to substantiate he was in the area of eligibility in support of a United Nations or North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation for award of the United Nations or North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medals.

To grant relief of the aforementioned medals would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33; Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.

AFPC/DPSID was able to verify the applicant was awarded the Airman’s Medal per Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-341, dated 23 September 1994.  In addition, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 7 April 1992 to 3 September 1999, and were not reflected in his records.  Upon final determination by the Board, AFPC/DPSOR will administratively correct the applicant’s records.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

SAF/MRBP recommends approval of the applicant’s request for award of the Airman’s Medal.  AFPC/DPSID was able to find the supporting order (Department of the Air Force Special Order GB-341, dated 23 September 1994).

A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DP3ST recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his reentry code indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant applied for and received a hardship discharge on 3 September 1999, after having served 7 years, 4 months and 2 days on active duty.  The applicant received reentry code 4A as required by AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the United States Air Force, due to his hardship discharge.  The DD Form 214 is a snapshot of a member’s career and includes the reason he or she separated.  Therefore, the reason for separation is not changed when a member’s circumstances change.  If the reason for the hardship no longer exists a waiver of the reentry code 4A may be appropriate.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3ST evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 3 December 2015, 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 recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal.  The Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal was established 7 April 1964, effective on or after 1 April 1965, based on the four continuous years of service, or on or after 1 July 1975, based on three continuous years of service, to recognize exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in an enlisted status in the ANG and Air Force Reserve.  Creditable service ends when called to active duty.  The applicant was placed in the Air Force Reserve Non-Participating Individual Ready Reserve from 2 October 2008 through 4 May 2012 and participated 24 months with the ANG.  The applicant did not meet the eligibility requirement of three years of consecutive active participation in the ANG.

Notwithstanding the above, NGB/A1PS was able to verify that the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 4 May 2007 through 2 October 2008 and was not reflected in his records.  Upon final decision by the Board, administrative correction of the applicants’ official military personnel record will be completed by ARPC awards and decorations.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A Copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 16 February 2016, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit H).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP35P recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, after 1 July 1958, participated in United States Military operations, United States operations in direct support of the United Nations, or United States operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.  Service members must be bona fide members of a unit engaged in the operation or meet one or more of the following criteria: be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of operations (or for the full period when an operation is less than 30 days duration) or 60 nonconsecutive days provided the support involved entering the area of eligibility, be engaged in actual combat, or duty that is equally as hazardous as combat duty, during the operation with armed opposition, regardless of time in the area, or participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area in support of the military operations.  AFPC/DP3SP is unable to locate official documentation to verify the applicant deployed to the area of eligibility in direct support of an operation for which the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is authorized.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoD Manual 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP35P evaluation is at Exhibit I.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 28 April 2016, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit J).  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 OPRs and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  We note the applicant has provided a copy of his DD Form 1610, which indicates his TDY travel to the United Kingdom.  However, according to AFI 36-3202, this is not considered a source document to show actual time overseas.  As such, we find he has failed to provide substantial evidence to persuade us that his records should be corrected to show Foreign Service.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

4.  Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting partial relief.  While the applicant requests two oak leaf clusters be added to his Air Force Longevity Service award, we note that the Air Force Longevity Service award is based on an aggregate of four years of honorable service.  The applicant was awarded the basic badge during his active duty service.  The applicant’s combined years of satisfactory service towards retirement entitles him to one oak leaf cluster.  We further note the applicant’s record will corrected to add the Airman’s Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.  Accordingly, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Air Force Longevity Service Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00349 in Executive Session on 14 June 2016, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, III

All members voted to correct the record as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00349 was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 January 2016, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 6 October 2015, 
  w/atch.
Exhibit D.  Memorandum, SAF/MRBP, dated 24 November 2015.
Exhibit E.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3ST, dated 1 December 2015.
Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 3 December 2015.
Exhibit G.  Memorandum, NGB/A1PS, dated 4 February 2016.
Exhibit H.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 16 February 2016.
Exhibit I.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP35P, dated 11 April 2016.
Exhibit J.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 28 April 2016.