RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03986

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While stationed in Ankara, Turkey, 28 Jul 90 to 25 Oct 91 she received the SWASM for DESERT SHIELD/STORM, however, it was omitted from her 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 16 Mar 90.

On 25 Sep 91, the applicant was rendered an AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (EPR), covering the period 16 Mar 90 through 25 Sep 91, while assigned to the 7217 ABG Clinic (USAFE), Ankara Air Station, Turkey.  

On 25 Nov 91, the applicant was awarded an Air Force Achievement Medal for meritorious service while assigned to the 7217 ABG Clinic, Ankara Air Station, Turkey.  

On 31 Mar 14, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, retired effective 1 Apr 14, and was credited with 24 years, and 15 days of active service, including 7 years, 1 month, and 15 days of foreign 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.  The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM, between the period 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95, in one or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and water) directly supporting combat operations between  17 Jan 1 and 30 Nov 95.  To be eligible, a service member must:  be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore (military) operations; be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated; have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Those time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.  After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, they were unable to verify award of the SWASM.  Although they we were able to verify the applicant was at Ankara Air Station, Turkey, from 28 July 90 to 25 Oct 91, there is no indication in her record verifying she was in direct support of combat operations in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM.  Based on their review of the applicant's official military personnel record, they were able to determine that the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM) should have been awarded during the applicant's service from 16 Mar 90 to 31 Mar 14 and was not reflected in her records.  Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.  

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reiterates her contention that she was authorized to wear the SWASM while assigned to the 7217th Air Base Wing, Ankara Turkey, and it was not until she received her DD Form 214 that she noticed it was deleted from her records.  She cites the DoDM 1348.33-V2, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD Service Awards – Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service Medals, criteria for award of the SWASM, emphasizing that Turkey is one of the specified areas of assignment.  She opines that service members assigned in the specific areas qualifying for the SWASM received Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay, in accordance with DoD Financial Management regulations.  In support of her response, the applicant provided a copy of her Master Military Pay Account showing her start and stop Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger pay dates of 1 Feb 91 and 31 Oct 91 respectively, copies of email exchanges between Military Pay personnel and a Defense Financial and Accounting Service (DFAS) representative verifying Turkey was designated a Combat Zone Tax Exempt (CZTE) area and Hostile Fire Pay area, a copy of the SWASM criteria excerpt from DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, and copies of documents from her original application.  

A complete copy of the Applicant’s Rebuttal w/atchs are at Exhibit E.

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 took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case, to include her rebuttal; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  In this respect the Board notes the applicant was assigned at Ankara Air Station, Turkey from 28 Jul90 to 25 Oct 91, making her eligible for Combat Zone Tax Exempt (CZTE) area and Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger pay during that period in accordance with DoD Financial Management Regulations.  However, there is no evidence submitted that confirms the organization she was serving in during that time period was in direct support of combat operations in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM, the criteria for award of the SWASM, established by DoDM 1348.33-V2.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief 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-2015-03986 in Executive Session on 18 Aug 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03986 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Sep 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 2 May 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Jun 16.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 17 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.