RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-03811

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM), and the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received a Letter of Commendation in June 1967 for outstanding achievement.  He believes his outstanding achievement meets the criteria for the AFAM or AFLSA as outlined in the Air Force Factsheets for these awards.

He previously submitted a request for award of the AFLSA, however, the request was denied.  He believes an error was made.  According to the published criteria the AFLSA is awarded to service members who have completed four years of honorable active federal military service with any branch of the armed forces, to include Reserve components.

He enlisted in the Air Force (AF) Reserve on 11 October 1966 and was discharged on 24 November 1966.  On 25 November 1966, he entered the Regular Air Force.  On 24 August 1970, he was transferred to the AF Reserve.  He was discharged from the AF Reserve on 10 October 1972.  He has a combined total of six years of military service.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 25 November 1966, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force.  On 24 August 1970, he was honorably discharged and transferred to the AF Reserve.  On 10 October 1972, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve.

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/DP3SP recommends denial noting there is no evidence of an error or injustice.

The AFAM was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 12 Oct 80 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States and foreign military personnel, below the rank of colonel, after 30 Sep 81, who while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguish themselves by meritorious service and achievement.

The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, below the grade of Colonel and foreign military personnel, who, while serving in any capacity with the Department of the Air Force after 28 Mar 58, distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service.

The AFLSA was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 25 November 1947 and is awarded to all service members of the United States Air Force who complete 4 years of honorable active or reserve military service.  Subsequent periods of military service shall be denoted by an oak leaf cluster worn on the service ribbon. 

After reviewing the applicant’s official military personnel record, there was no official documentation located or provided verifying he was awarded or recommended for award of the AFCM or AFAM.  The Special Order is the official source document for verification of an authorized decoration.  They were unable to locate a Special Order awarding the applicant the AFCM or AFAM.  

The applicant served on active duty from 25 November 1966 to 24 August 1970, for a total of three years and nine months, thus rendering him ineligible for award of the AFLSA.  His DD Form 214 also states he has 1 month and 13 days of “other service” this still only combines to 3 years, 10 month and 13 days of service as of his date of separation from active duty service.  The applicant was advised to contact the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) for verification of his eligibility for award of the AFLSA to include his service with the AF Reserve subsequent to his completion of active duty in 1970.

In order to reasonably consider the applicant's request for the AFCM and AFAM, he needs to submit a recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement preferably from someone within his chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements.

Therefore, they recommend disapproval for award of the AFAM and AFCM noting there was no official documentation located or provided to show the applicant was awarded or recommended for the AFCM or AFAM.  They also recommend disapproval for award of the AFLSA.  The applicant did not have the aggregate four years of service at the time of his separation from active duty.  

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

ARPC/DPTS recommends granting the applicant’s request for award of the AFLSA, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.

Per AFI 36-2803, Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, the AFLSA is awarded to active duty personnel based on an aggregate of four years of honorable active federal military service with any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States or Reserve components.  

The applicant has 5 years, 10 months, and 16 days of combined honorable active/Reserve Federal military service and therefore meets the criteria for the AFLSA.

A complete copy of the ARPC/DPTS evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In further support of his requests the applicant submits a personal statement in which he states he has not located any additional documentation that verifies that he was recommended for the AFCM or that a Special Order exists.  He has provided all documentation he has with his original August 2015 request.  However, his letter of commendation along with the outstanding achievement certificate summarizes his commendable service.

Although, a thorough review of his military personnel record was completed, he is not aware of where his records were sent after the base closed in September 1995.  Also, while searching for documentation he found out that many records were destroyed by the 1973 fire at the National Archives and Records Administration.  

He believes he is eligible for the AFCM and AFLSA and requests thoughtful and discretionary consideration be given to his request.

The applicant’s complete response is attached at Exhibit F.

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 with respect to the applicant’s request for award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) and Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM).  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal response, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  There was no evidence provided or located to show the applicant was recommended for or was awarded the AFAM and AFCM.  In view of the above, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting this portion of the requested relief.  

4.  Notwithstanding our determination above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice to warrant relief regarding award of the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA).  We note that AFPC/DP3SP recommended denial noting the applicant did not have the required aggregate four years of service to receive the award at the time of his separation from active duty.  However, ARPC/DPTS recommends award of the AFLSA as the applicant has combined honorable active and Reserve Federal military service and therefore meets the creditable service for award of the AFLSA.  We are in agreement with ARPC/DPTS’ recommendation.  In this respect we note that the applicant did not have the aggregate years of service for award of the AFLSA on the date his DD Form 214 was issued, however, upon completing his Reserve service he had the aggregate years of service for award of the AFLSA but would not receive a DD Form 214 for his (non-active duty) Reserve service, therefore, in accordance with (IAW) AFI 36-2803, the AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, is the document to be used to correct his record to reflect the award.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as 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 an AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, was accomplished to show he was awarded the Air Force Longevity Service Award for the inclusive period 25 November 1966 through 10 October 1972.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03811 in Executive Session on 23 August 2016, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03811 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Forms 149, dated 31 Aug 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 Apr 16.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, ARPC/DPTS, 7 Jun 16.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 21 Jun 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.