RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04895

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following awards: 

a.	 Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour (AFOR-ST) (administratively corrected).  

b.	 Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) (administratively corrected).  

c.	 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S) (administratively corrected).  

d.	Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He provided justification and records to the Recognitions Service Team at HQ ARPC/DPT and received confirmation that he is eligible for each requested award.  

He had a permanent change of station (PCS) to Osan Air Base, Korea for one year, entitling him to the KDSM and AFOR-ST.  His DD Form 214 shows his service during and after 11 September 2001, entitling him to the GWOT-S.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 20 January 1999.  

On 19 January 2003, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with four years of active service.   

On 9 November 2015, according to a memorandum submitted by the applicant, Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center (HQ ARPC/DPT), notified him of entitlement to the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons.  

a.	 Air Force Achievement Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM w/1OLC).  

b.	 Air Force Training Ribbon (AFTR).  

c.	 Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA).  

d.	 Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM).  

e.	National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).  

f.	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).  

g.	Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short Tour (AFOR-ST).  

h.	Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).  

i.	Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM)

j.	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S).  

On 11 April 2016, AFPC/DP1SP was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons and will correct his records administratively:  

a.	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S).  

b.	 Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).  

c.	Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour (AFOR-ST).  

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 of the applicant’s request for award of the Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal.  The NDOSM was authorized on 27 May 2014 to recognize direct support to nuclear deterrence operations.  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. 

While HQ ARPC/DPT has indicated their verification of the applicant’s entitlement to award of the NDOSM, they have not stated how they made that verification.  However, after a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, verification could not be made for his entitlement to the NDOSM.  A determination could not be made that the applicant was assigned or attached to a unit, wing, center, or below, that provided support in the nuclear enterprise within the eligibility start date; therefore, the applicant is ineligible for award.  

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 13 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-2015-04895 in Executive Session on 2 March 2017 and 31 March 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 November 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 11 April 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 13 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, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.