RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01824

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NOT INDICATED 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be annotated to show his tours of duty in Operations Desert Storm, Desert Storm II, (Desert Shield) and the Global War on Terrorism.

2.  His DD Form 214, Block 12f, Foreign Service, reflect all of his combat time.

3.  His record be updated to reflect awards and decorations for duty in Afghanistan.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His combat service includes deployments to Saudi Arabia (1992), Jordan (1994), Egypt (1994-1995), Al-Dhafer and Bahrain (1997), Moron Spain (2001), and Kandahar, Afghanistan (2002). 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 30 November 1984, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force. 

On 31 March 2005, the applicant was released from active duty and retired on 1 April 2005.  He was credited with 20 years, 4 months, and 1 day of active service and 2 years, 10 months, and 18 days of foreign service.

According to AFI 36-2202, annotating the DD Form 214 with specific locations is not authorized.

The applicant’s DD Form 214 lists award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) with one bronze service star.  The SWASM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM in one or more of the following areas from 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995: The Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 100 N. latitude and west 680 E. longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.  A bronze service star can be awarded for each of the following campaigns:  Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, and Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign.

The applicant’s DD Form 214 lists award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary (AFEM).  The AFEM is awarded for participation in designated U.S. operations to include the total land area and air space of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, and Jordan.

The applicant’s DD Form 214 lists award of the Kuwait Liberation Medal – Kuwait (KLM-K).  The KLM-K is awarded for support of Operations Desert SHIELD and DESERT STORM between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993, in the following areas: The Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees North latitude and west of 68 degrees East longitude; the Gulf of Aden; or, the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPRs), which are attached at Exhibits C through E and H.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2SP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice for award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.  The applicant was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for his service in Afghanistan.  The applicant may elect to exchange the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal but cannot receive both awards for his deployment to Afghanistan.  Based on a review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, it was determined that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 30 November 1984 to 1 March 2005 but were not.  Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM:

•	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S)
•	Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (AFESR w/GB)

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2SP is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP states they were able to verify and confirm foreign service in  Afghanistan, Republic of Korea and a classified location, but unable to verify any foreign service in Spain, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPWORM recommends partial approval.  DPWORM states using the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) and the Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution Segments (DCAPES) verified the applicant deployed to Kandahar (2002) and Al-Dhafer and Bahrain in 1997.  In these cases travel vouchers could be found.  However, the applicant’s four remaining Type 1 TDYs (Contingency Deployment) could not be verified because travel vouchers where not updated or were not issued.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPWORM advisory is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In accordance with the AFPC/DP2SP advisory, the applicant would like to exchange the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze star.

The applicant’s response is at Exhibit G.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial.  DPAPP, in a revised advisory, states they were able to verify and confirm foreign service in Afghanistan, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a classified location; but, unable to verify any foreign service in Spain, Bahrain, Egypt, and Jordan.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP is at Exhibit H.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 23 March 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit I).  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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

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 or injustice regarding his requests.  We note that in accordance with the AFPC/DP2SP advisory, the applicant could, and did elect to exchange the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze star.  A DD Form 215, Correction to the DD Form 214, will be issued to the applicant with the inclusion of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze star.  In regards to the applicant’s request to have specific locations annotated on his DD Form 214, we note that the DD Form 214 provides separating members with records of their active military service at the time they are transferred, released, discharged, or retired.  The DD 214 does not list specific locations of temporary duties or permanent duty stations.  We point out that AFPC/DPAPP was able to verify and confirm foreign service in Afghanistan, Republic of Korea, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a classified location; but was unable to verify any foreign service in Spain, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan.  In regard to the applicant’s request that his DD Form 214 be corrected to include foreign service - according to DP3AM, the applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects the correct amount of foreign service time.  They were not able to verify any other foreign service than what has already been calculated on his DD Form 214.  Therefore, other than the administrative corrections cited above, we find no basis to recommend granting any additional relief sought in this application.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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-2015-01824 in Executive Session on 9 June 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 April 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2SP, not dated.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 3 June 2015.
	Exhibit E.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPWORM, dated 22 January 2016,
  w/atchs.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 4 February 2016.
	Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 17 February 2016,
  w/atchs.
	Exhibit H.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 15 March 2016.
	Exhibit I.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 23 March 2016.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings in the above entitled matter.