RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03298

   						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS:

The following corrections be made to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty:

a.  He be awarded the following decorations:

	1.  The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S). (Administratively corrected)

	2.  The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

	3.  The Navy Expert Pistol Medal.

	4.  The Navy Rifleman Marksmanship Medal. 

	b.  Multiple courses be added and/or corrected in Section 14, Military Education.  (Administratively corrected)  

APPLICANT CONTENDS:

He was awarded the MSM, the Navy Rifleman Marksmanship Medal, the Navy Expert Pistol Medal, and earned the GWOT-S for his service during the period 11 Sep 01 through 30 Aug 02.  However, the requested decorations are not reflected on his DD Form 214. 

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 27 Mar 81.

On 31 Aug 02, the applicant retired after serving 21 years, 5 months, and 4 days of active service.  

AFPC/DP1SP directed the applicant’s DD Form 214 be updated to add award of the GWOT-S.

On 2 Jun 16, AFPC/DPSIT directed Section 14 of the applicant’s DD Form 214 be updated as follows:

a.  Add the following:

	1.  Phase 1 PME NCO Orientation Course, 3 Days, Sep 83

	2.  NCO Leadership School, 4 wks, Mar 88

	3.  Technical Training Instructor Course, 6 wks, Jun 92

	4.  NCOA, 5 wks, Mar 93

	5.  Military Police Investigator Course, 8 wks, Nov 87

	b.  Change “Security Police Specialist Course,” to read “Law Enforcement Specialist Course.”

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.  The MSM is governed by Executive Order 11448, 16 Jan 69, which authorizes the Secretary of a Military Department to award the MSM to any member of the United States Armed Forces, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who distinguished himself or herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service.  The MSM may be awarded for outstanding achievement or service while serving in a designated combat zone.  The Navy Expert Pistol Medal and Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal are awarded by the U.S. Navy. 

A thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record did verify award of the GWOT-S medal.  The applicant’s official records were administratively corrected to include award of the GWOT-S.  

A Special Order is the official source document to verify award of a decoration.  A thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record did not verify evidence of award of the MSM, nor did the applicant submit any such documentation.  Although the applicant submitted an MSM certificate, it is not signed, does not include a “Given Under My Hand” date, and no Special Order for the MSM could be located.  In addition, the applicant did not provide any official documentation verifying award of the Navy Expert Pistol Medal or the Navy Rifleman Marksmanship Medal.  Recommend disapproval of further corrections beyond those which have been administratively corrected based upon the fact the application was not filed in a timely manner. 

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 26 Jul 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:

Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a careful review of the applicant's contentions, documentation submitted in support of the request, and the available evidence of record, we are not convinced the applicant has provided sufficient evidence for us to conclude he is the victim of an error or injustice.  We also note the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603.  While the applicant claims a date of discovery of less than three years prior to receipt of the application, we believe a reasonable date of discovery was more than three years prior to receipt of the application.  Therefore, because we do not find it would be in the interest of justice to recommend granting relief, and the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file the application.  Accordingly, we find the application untimely.

THE BOARD DETERMINES:

The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness.  It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03298 in Executive Session on 20 Oct 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03298 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Jul 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 14 Jul 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Jul 16.

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 the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.