RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-03307
		
                    		COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following awards:

a.  Iraqi Campaign Medal (ICM) with two bronze service stars (BSS) (Administratively corrected).

b.  Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His deployed service in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM qualifies him for the requested awards.  During his assignment as an advisor to one of the Site Exploitation Teams, he took part in more than 50 combat missions across Iraq and, on at least three occasions his team took and returned fire while executing site surveillance missions.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve during the period and events under review.

Reserve Order AL-001371, dated 2 Apr 03, ordered the applicant to active duty in accordance with Title 10, United States Code (USC), Section 12302, effective 6 Apr 03, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Reserve Order AL-009224, dated 13 Aug 03, demobilized the applicant from active duty effective 24 Aug 03, and reverted him to his status as a traditional (part-time) member of the Air Force Reserve.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP1SP recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the AFCAM, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  The Secretary of the Air Force established the AFCAM on 15 Mar 07 to recognize members of the Air Force (Colonel and below) who actively participated in ground or air combat.  Nomination is restricted to members who on or after 11 Sep 01 deliberately go into the enemy’s domain to conduct official duties and have come under enemy fire by lethal weapons while performing those duties, and are at risk of grave danger.  A thorough review of the applicant’s record did not reveal evidence that he was eligible for the AFCAM.  While the applicant’s field grade officer performance report indicated he deployed to Iraq in support of OIF for five months, there was no documentation indicating he came under direct and lethal fire.  The applicant’s case was forwarded to the original award approval authority, Air Force Central Command for consideration, but it was disapproved on 27 Apr 16.  The applicant can submit a one-time reconsideration with additional documentation not previously submitted within one year from the date of the awarding authority’s decision (27 Apr 16).  As for the applicant’s request for the ICM w/2BSS, a thorough review of the applicant’s records indicates that he should have been awarded said award and his records will be administratively corrected subsequent to the Board’s decision.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP1SP 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 31 May 16 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 timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We considered 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. As to eligibility for award of the AFCAM, the Board noted evidence substantiating the applicant had deployed to Iraq for five months; however, there is no evidence verifying the applicant came under direct and lethal enemy fire as required by the AFCAM criteria. We note Air Force Central Command, the original approval authority for the AFCAM, considered and denied the applicant’s case for award of the AFCAM. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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-2015-03307 in Executive Session on 5 Jan 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

     Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Jul 15 w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 Apr 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 May 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 that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.