RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-02618

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded Airman of the Year for 1971.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is entitled to be awarded Airman of the Year for 1971 based on a Certificate of Recognition he has provided. 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 7 March 1960, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.

According to the Certificate of Recognition provided by the applicant, on 30 April 1971, he was awarded Airman of the Year for the 3640th Pilot Training Wing.

On 1 April 1980, the applicant retired from active duty and was credited with 20 years and 24 days of total active 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 indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  DP3SP were unable to verify the applicant was nominated for the Outstanding Airman of the Year Award at the Air Force level; rendering the applicant ineligible for award of the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon.

The Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon is awarded to Airmen competing at Air Force level in the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Program.  The award is retroactive to those Airmen who meet the requirements as of June 1970.

Each airman nominated to the Air Force-level competition receives the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon.  AFPC/DPSIDR sends a letter to the nominees' respective Major Command, Field Operating Agency, or Direct Reporting Unit as well as to Automated Records Management System to file in member's electronic records.  The letter is the source document indicating those individuals listed in the letter are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon.

Although the applicant provided a Certificate of Recognition; this appears to be at the base level.  Base level awards are not updatable to the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

Based on a review of the applicant's official military personnel record, DP3SP were able to determine that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant's service from 7 March 1960 to 31 March 1980 and were not reflected in his records.  Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM:

•	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/lSOLC & l BOLC)
•	Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFLSA w/4BOLC)
•	Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/4BSS)
•	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P)

A complete copy of the AFPC/ DP3SP evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 13 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; 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 opinion and recommendation of the Air Force 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 relief sought in this application beyond that rendered administratively.

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-2015-02618 in Executive Session on 14 June 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				  , Panel Chair
				   , Member
				    , Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-02618 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 June 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 April 2016,
  w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 13 April 2016.