RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04548

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX				COUNSEL:  NONE

							HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR) be added to his records.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The AFTR was authorized by the Air Force Chief of Staff on 12 October 1980.  He was never advised that he was eligible for the ribbon because he separated in 1976.  He is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and would like to wear the ribbon on his uniform.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 4 September 1969.

On 10 August 1973, the applicant was released from active duty with an honorable character of service.  He was credited with 3 years, 11 months, and 7 days of active service.

According to AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, the AFTR was established on 12 October 1980, and is awarded to members who, after 14 August 1974, complete an initial Air Force accession training program (BMT, Officer Training School (OTS), Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), Academy, Medical Services, Judge Advocate, Chaplain Orientation, and so forth).  The ribbon may be awarded to Air Reserve Forces members who complete appropriate training.

The Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) AFTR Fact Sheet states “The AFTR is awarded to U.S. Air Force service members on completion of initial accession training after 14 August 1974.  In December 1986, the criteria expanded and authorized the ribbon to anyone who was on active duty regardless of when they completed initial accession training.”

In a memorandum dated 19 December 1986, SAF/MR expanded wear of the AFTR.  The letter states, “Specifically, the AFTR is authorized for all active duty personnel regardless of the date they entered the service.  Before this change, the AFTR was only authorized for those members who had completed their initial accession training on or after 15 August 1974.  Justification for this change is that all active duty members have completed the prerequisite training to wear the AFTR” (Exhibit E).

In a similar case, an applicant requested the AFTR be added to his DD Form 214 arguing that the original authorization on 14 August 1974, was expanded in December 1986 to permit award of the ribbon regardless of when initial accession training was completed.  The Air Force OPR in this case stated that before 19 December 1986, the AFTR was awarded to Air Force members who completed initial Air Force accession training after 14 August 1974.  Subsequent to 19 December 1986, all Air Force members who completed Air Force accession training regardless of when training was completed are authorized the ribbon.  The Air Force OPR later clarified that the AFTR was only for those airman who were serving in the Air Force on 19 December 1986, therefore, the applicant did not meet the criteria for award.  On 27 May 2016, the Board majority granted the applicant’s request to add the AFTR to his DD Form 214 (Exhibit F).

On 14 October 2016, AFBCMR staff forwarded the applicant copies of AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00478 and SAF/MR memorandum, dated 19 December 1986 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G).  The applicant responded and indicated he would like to continue the processing of his case (Exhibit H).

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.  The AFTR was established on 12 October 1980 and is awarded to members who, after 14 August 1974, complete an initial Air Force accession training program.  The applicant completed basic military training in 1969; rendering him ineligible for award of the AFTR.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoD Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.

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 10 May 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice.  Having carefully reviewed this application, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the Air Force OPR recommends denial because the applicant's service dates are prior to 14 August 1974, the award authorization date; however, we disagree.  The original criteria only authorized wear of the AFTR to those members who had completed their initial accession training on or after 15 August 1974.  However, the SAF/MR memorandum, dated 19 December 1986, expanded the criteria for wear of the AFTR to include anyone who was on active duty regardless of when they completed initial accession training.  In a similar case, the Board believed the spirit and intent of the policy change was to expand the wear of the AFTR to all members who completed initial accession training, regardless of when they completed the training and we agree with this opinion.  Therefore, in the interest of justice, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as set forth 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 his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his separation on 10 August 1973, be amended in Item 26, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to include the Air Force Training Ribbon.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04548 in Executive Session on 3 November 2016, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

All members voted to correct the record as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 October 2015, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 2 May 2016.
Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 10 May 2016.
Exhibit E.  Memorandum, SAF/MR, dated 19 December 1986.
Exhibit F.  AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00478, digitally 
  signed 4 July 2016.
Exhibit G.  Email, AFBCMR, dated 14 October 2016.
Exhibit H.  Email, Applicant, dated 14 October 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, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04548.