RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04245

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be authorized and awarded the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM) with an “N” device.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was a member of the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) as a Pest Manager and First Sergeant during the period of 1998 through 2002.  Based on an electronic article released on 14 October 2014, airman who met the eligibility criteria could submit an application for award of the NDOSM and the eligibility was retroactive to 27 December 1991, for airman who qualify.  Additionally, an “N” could be worn by airmen who dispatched to a missile complex for 179 non-consecutive days in direct support of intercontinental ballistic missile operations and performed duties in the air force specialty code of 32EX, 3EXXX – Civil Engineering.  

He met the criteria for award of the NDOSM w/N device because his 1998 Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) indicates he authored a Pest Management Plan with the Treaty Compliance/Arms Control section and he was regularly dispatched to missile sites to author sections.  In addition, his 2001/2002 EPR indicates he made multiple missile site visits as the CES first sergeant, he witnessed imploding missile sites, and he earned the missile maintenance badge for prior duties.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 July 2008, the applicant retired from the Air Force and was credited with 30 years and 5 days of total active service.  

On 8 April 2016, AFPC/DP1SP was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (NDOSM w/1BOLC).  It was determined the Air Force Medal and/or Ribbon should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 26 June 1978 to 30 June 2008; however, it was not reflected in his records.  Upon final board decision administrative correction of his official military records will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.  

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.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel records, verification was made that he met the basic criteria for award of the NDOSM w/1BOLC; however, his service which qualified him for this award does not support that he also performed duties within the missile complex in direct support of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations for 179 non-consecutive days.  

The Secretary of the Air Force approved the NDOSM on 27 May 2014 to recognize direct support to nuclear deterrence operations.  The medal is authorized for airmen who directly impacted the Nuclear Enterprise.  The award may be awarded retroactively to 27 December 1991 to fully qualified Airmen.  The basic award may be awarded to Airmen who, while assigned, attached, deployed or mobilized to a unit, provided support to the Nuclear Enterprise for 120 consecutive or 179 nonconsecutive days and were subject to a Nuclear Inspection or performed duties in nuclear operations, nuclear weapons storage facilities, nuclear command, control, and communication (NC3), cyber surety, security, safety, transportation, maintenance, facility management and maintenance, explosive ordnance disposal, aircrew certified for support to nuclear operations, weapons loaders, warning and attack assessment, personnel reliability program (PRP) management, or research, development and acquisition of nuclear systems. 

The “N” device will be worn on the NDOSM by airmen who dispatched to a missile complex for 179 non-consecutive days in direct support of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations, and performed duties in Missile Maintenance (21MX, 2M0XX), Munitions and Maintenance (2W0XX, 2W1XX, 2W2XX), Security Forces (31PX, 3P0XX), Services (3MOXX), Fuels (2F0XX), Transportation (2T1XX, 2T3XX), Civil Engineering (32EX, 3EXXX), Cyberspace Support (3D1X1, 3D1X3, 3D100), Operations (11HXC, 13NX, 1A9X1, and 13SX officer on or before 9 February 2013) or Missile Facility Manager (8S000) or for nuclear laden aircraft:  nuclear certified aircrew, aircraft maintenance technician, munitions maintenance technicians, combat crew communications, nuclear certified controllers, and security forces performing guard duties.  
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 7 June 2016 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 took notice of 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting any 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-2015-04245 in Executive Session on 1 December 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04245 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 September 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 8 April 2016.  
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 7 June 2016.  

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 regarding AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04245, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.