RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-03138

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be given foreign service credit/time for his deployment to Afghanistan.

2.  He receive awards and decorations associated with his service in Afghanistan.  (Administratively Corrected)

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was medevac’d out of Afghanistan prior to redeployment, as a result his records are inaccurate. 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 14 Apr 10.  

According to Special Order TE-0024, dated 27 Dec 12, the applicant was deployed from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming (WY) to Afghanistan from on or about 11 Jan 13 until he returned to F.E. Warren AFB, WY on 10 Jun 13, totaling 5 months.

According to his Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) report, dated 22 Apr 14, in Jun 2013, the applicant was medically evacuated from deployment in Afghanistan due to suicidal ideation, depressed and anxious mood, and PTSD symptoms.  The applicant was diagnosed with PTSD and noted the disorder negatively impacts his ability to cope with the demands of military life.  The MEB recommended the applicant’s case be referred to the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB).

On 28 Dec 14, the applicant was relieved from active duty and placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL), effective 29 Dec 14, with a compensable disability rating of 70 percent.  He was credited with 4 years, 8 months, and 15 days of active service for retirement.  The disability was incurred in a combat-zone or incurred during the performance of duty in combat-related operations as designated by the Secretary of Defense (NDAA08, Sec 1646).

On 8 Jan 16, AFPC/DP1SP recommended the applicant’s record be administratively corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/2BOLC); the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star (AfghCM w/lBSS); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal   (GWOT-S) and the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM).

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request for service credit in Afghanistan.  DPAPP indicates that although the applicant submitted a copy of his travel voucher, they are unable to accept this form since it does not contain signature or an official finance stamp.  A review of his Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiates foreign service time in Afghanistan.

A complete copy of the DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP2SP indicates no action required in regards to the applicant’s request for awards and decoration for his service in Afghanistan.  The applicant’s record has been corrected.

Based on a review of the applicant's official military personnel record, they were able to determine that the below Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons should have been awarded during the applicant's service from 14 Apr 10 to 28 Dec 14, that were not reflected in his records.  Administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM:

• AFOUA w/2BOLC
• AfghCM w/lBSS
• GWOT-S
• NDOSM

A complete copy of the DP2SP evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 4 Mar 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  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.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  While we note the comments of AFPC/DPAPP indicating that relief should be denied because the applicant failed to provide any documents that substantiate foreign service time in Afghanistan, we disagree.  In this respect, we find the deployment orders indicating Afghanistan as his deployment location coupled with his medical records that reflects treatment in Afghanistan sufficient to grant the requested relief.  Therefore, in addition to the aforementioned administrative corrections, the applicant’s records should also be corrected to reflect that he was credited with a total of 5 months of foreign service.  Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent 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, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 28 Dec 14 retirement, be amended to read in Item 12f, Record of Service – Foreign Service, 5 months.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03138 in Executive Session on 9 Jun 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

					   , Panel Chair
					, Member
					 , Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  Although Mr.            chaired the panel, in view of his unavailability, Mr.        has signed as Acting Panel Chair.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03138 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Jul 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Available Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 9 Nov 15.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2SP, dated 8 Jan 16.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 4 Mar 16.