RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00478

 						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be amended to include the Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The original authorization on 14 August 1974 was expanded in December 1986 to permit award of the ribbon regardless of when initial accession training was completed. 

In support of his request the applicant submits a copy of the U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet, Air Force Training Ribbon, which states, “In December 1986, the criteria expanded and authorized the ribbon to anyone who was on active duty regardless of when they completed initial accession training.” 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 18 July 1968 and was honorably released from active duty on 17 July 1972.  

AFPC Decorations Fact Sheet states “The AFTR is awarded to U.S. Air Force service members on completion of initial accession training after 14 August 1974.  In December 1986, the criteria expanded and authorized the ribbon to anyone who was on active duty regardless of when they completed initial accession training.”

In a letter dated 19 December 1986, SAF/MR expanded wear of the AFTR.  The letter states, “Specifically, the AFTR is authorized for all active duty personnel regardless of the date they entered the service.  Before this change, the AFTR was only authorized for those members who had completed their initial accession training on or after 15 August 1974.  Justification for this change is that all active duty members have completed the prerequisite training to wear the AFTR.”

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  The AFTR was authorized for award after 14 August 1974.  The applicant completed basic military training in 1968; rendering him ineligible for award of the AFTR.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff. 

Before 19 December 1986, the ribbon was awarded to Air Force members who completed initial Air Force accession training after 14 August 1974.  Subsequent to 19 December 1986, all Air Force members who completed Air Force accession training regardless of when the training was completed are authorized the ribbon.  The applicant’s dates of service are prior to the award authorization date for award of the AFTR.  

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 12 August 2015 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:

AFPC/DPSID states the establishment of the AFTR was only for those airmen who were serving in the Air Force after 19 December 1986.  Accordingly, the applicant was not serving in the Air Force after 19 December 1986 and therefore was not authorized the AFTR.  To award the AFTR to the applicant would open the door to retroactive requests which was not the intent of the establishment of the AFTR.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit F. 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the additional Air Force evaluation and the 19 December 1986 SAF/MR memorandum were forwarded to the applicant on 18 April 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G).  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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  The Board majority appreciates the Air Force OPR’s additional advisory clarifying that the intent of the establishment of the AFTR was only for those Airmen who were serving in the Air Force after 19 December 1986 and that there was no intent for retroactive award; however, we disagree with their position and are persuaded corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the initial Air Force OPR advisory and the AFPC Decoration Fact Sheet states the criteria for wear of the AFTR was expanded in December 1986 to include anyone who was on active duty regardless of when they completed initial accession training.  Additionally, we note the SAF/MR 19 December 1986 memorandum states the original authorization started in 1974 and we do not believe the intent was to take ribbons away from those who served between 1974 and 1986 but rather expanded it to all who completed initial accession training, regardless of when they completed the training.  Furthermore, we do not believe that being on active duty in 1986 was the spirit and intent of the policy change, rather the fact that a member completed accession training.  In view of the above, it is the majority of the Board’s opinion the applicant has met his burden that he has been the victim of an error or injustice and recommend his record be corrected as 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 his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, issued in conjunction with his separation on 17 July 1972, be amended in Item 24, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Air Force Training Ribbon.  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00478 in Executive Session on 1 October 2015,  10 December 2015 and 27 May 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

By majority vote, the Board voted to correct the records as recommended.    voted to deny the applicant’s request but does not wish to submit a minority report.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 February 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 July 2015.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 August 2015.
	Exhibit E.  E-mail, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 18 April 2016. 
	Exhibit F.  Memorandum, SAF/MR, dated 19 December 1996, 
			  w/atchs.
	Exhibit G.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 19 April 2016.