RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01554 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following awards:

1)	His Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), with a given under hand date of 15 Aug 05, be upgraded to a Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

2)	Award the Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM), for duties performed during his deployment to Iraq in 2005.

3)	Add the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), for the period
26 Feb 01 to 18 Sep 06 (Administratively Corrected).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
As a lead vehicle commander and assistant convoy commander, his performance in direct support of combat operations warrants the CAM and an upgrade of his ARCOM to a BSM. His actions were proven to save lives by locating several explosive devices and calling in a medical evacuation request. He knows of another member in the same grade and position as him that received a BSM for similar circumstances. In fact, the applicant’s actions were above and beyond that of the other member who earned the BSM. The other member received the BSM because they were members of the same stateside unit [making the award recommendations].

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 19 Sep 00, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.

On 15 Aug 05, the applicant was awarded an Army Commendation medal for the period of performance 19 Mar 05 to 24 Sep 05. The citation reads: for “Meritorious service while serving with the [supported unit] gun truck detachment during the time of hostilities in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Your selfless service and devotion to mission accomplishment provided vital in the successful combat and political operations in the Iraqi theater. Your technical proficiency and tenacity reflects great credit upon you, the [supporting unit] and the United States Army.”

On 18 Sep 06, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with six years of active service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice to support an upgrade the applicant’s ARCOM to a BSM or to award him the AFCAM. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military record, no previous award of the AFCAM, or a request to upgrade the ARCOM to the BSM, was found.

The BSM may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

It is recommended to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade the ARCOM to the BSM.  The applicant has not provided sufficient documentation verifying an injustice exists. The applicant served as a member of a joint activity and the original award approval authority determined the ARCOM was the appropriate award to recognize his meritorious service. The applicant has not provided a recommendation for upgrade to the BSM from someone with firsthand knowledge and preferably in his direct chain of command at the time the act/achievement occurred, a proposed citation, or eyewitness statements from those who saw the applicant’s act/achievement in order for his request to be reasonably considered. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of

the Air Force (SecAF), Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.

On 15 Mar 07, the SecAF approved establishment of the AFCAM to recognize any military member of the Air Force who actively participated in combat (ground or air). The principal eligibility criterion is that 1) the individual must have been under direct and hostile fire while operating in unsecured space (outside the defended perimeter); and 2) they come under enemy attack by lethal weapons while performing those duties; and 3) are at risk of grave danger. Or I) Individuals defending the base (on the defended perimeter); and 2) come under fire and engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire; and 3) are at risk of grave danger, also meet the intent of combat conditions for this award. The AFCAM may be awarded for qualifying service from 11 Sep 01, to a future date to be determined.

The SecAF delegated sole approval authority to the Commander, Air Force Forces in the particular combat area. At a minimum, an award submission must include a narrative explanation of the circumstances Air Force Form 3994, date, time location, event description, individuals present, etc. (limited to two pages), provided by an individual who witnessed or participated in the incident. The award package is submitted to the individual’s commander, who then submits to the first Colonel in the operational chain. Both the commander and first Colonel in the operational chain may return a submission as “Not supported”. Individuals wishing to appeal must do so through the officer who did not support the initial application to the next level in the chain-of-command for further consideration. Each request for the AFCAM will be boarded as determined by the Commander, Air Force Forces. If approved, the AFCAM will be awarded and announced via Commander, Air Force Forces approval memo.

It is recommended to deny the applicant’s request for award of the AFCAM. In order for the applicant’s request  to  be reasonably considered by the original award approval authority, United States Air Forces Central Command, he must submit a detailed narrative of the single day event in which he is requesting award of the Air Force Combat Action Medal for.

Additionally, based on the review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, it was determined the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) was awarded but was not reflected in his records. Upon final board decision, the applicant’s record will be administratively corrected

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

SAF/MRBP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. After a review of the applicant’s request and the advisory opinion of AFPC/DPSID, this advisory concurs with the recommendations of AFPC/DPISD.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant submits a series of emails from 2007, which appear to be between members of his unit who were deployed together. There is indication one of the email recipients initiated some action to gather pertinent facts and submit fellow service members for the Combat Action Medal. In a 6 Nov 07 email, a Master Sergeant states, “here is the initial document you will need to run this through your chain of command…but this should get you started.” Additionally, he provides six dates and specific accomplishments from the Master Sergeant’s decoration request for consideration.

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 opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, 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 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-2015-01554 in Executive Session on 12 Jan 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 9 Apr 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 10 Aug 15. Exhibit D.	Memorandum, SAF/MRBP, dated 4 Dec 15 Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Dec 15.