RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-02543

 						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  YES 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended to reflect the following commemorative medals:

	Overseas Service Commemorative Medal.

	U.S. Air Force Commemorative Medal.
	
	Armed Forces Retired Commemorative Medal.

	American Defense Commemorative Medal.

	Cold War Medal.

	U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Commemorative Medal.

	Presidential Unit Citation Commemorative Medal.

	NATO Service Commemorative Medal.

	Armed Forces Expert Marksmanship Commemorative Medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

All U.S. Armed Forces who served in an overseas theater outside the U.S. for 30 days or more are entitled to these honors and he meets this qualification.  At no time during his military career did he receive a briefing, letter or any information on how a service member can receive these awards.  It is highly unjust.  

In a letter dated 30 January 2012, AFPC/DPSIDRA advised him to buy his own medals at Medals of America.  This was his first introduction to commemorative medals.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant retired on 1 December 1987 in the grade of Master Sergeant (MSgt, E-7).  He was credited with 20 years and 20 days of active duty service.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denial.  Commemorative medals are not official awards or decorations of the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense and are not awarded or issued by the United States government; nor can they be updated on the DD Form 214.  However, the applicant may obtain them from the commercial sources provided. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DODM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff.    

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP 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 28 April 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  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.  While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years ago, in our view, the reasonable date of discovery of the alleged error or injustice was more than three years ago and the application is therefore untimely.  

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 or injustice.  As pointed out by the Air Force OPR, commemorative medals are not official awards or decorations of the United States Air Force and are not included on the DD Form 214.  However, the applicant may purchase them from the commercial sources provided in the Air Force OPR evaluation.  Accordingly, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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-2015-02543 in Executive Session on 2 June 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Panel Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 June 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 27 April 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 April 2016.