RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00328

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is eligible for the AFEM for his Support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH from January 2000 to March 2000.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 22 Jul 98.

In a letter, dated 21 Nov 00, the applicant was denied the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) for the period of 22 Jul 98 to 7 Nov 00.

In a letter, dated 22 Mar 01, the applicant was denied the AFGCM for the period of 7 Nov 00 to 14 May 01.

On 21 Jul 02, the applicant received an honorable discharge, and was transferred to the Air Force Reserve (USAFR).  He was credited with four years of total active service. 

On 6 Dec 05, the applicant was honorably discharged from the USAFR, effective 30 Nov 05.

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.  After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, DP3SP were unable to verify the applicant served 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the area of responsibility for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in order to be eligible for award of the AFEM.  Additionally, the applicant's AFGCM was denied during the period of 22 Jul 98 to 7 Nov 00 and again from 7 Nov 00 to 14 May 01.  Even if the applicant was able to substantiate boots on ground in the area of eligibility, his denial of the AFGCM twice would render him ineligible for award of the AFEM.

The AFEM is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who after 1 Jul 58 participate, or have participated as members of the U.S. military units in a military operation in which Service members of any Military Department participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in significant numbers.  The members must encounter during such participation foreign armed opposition, or are otherwise placed, or have been placed, in such a position that, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hostile action by foreign armed forces was imminent even though it did not materialize.  The members must be engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the area of operations (or the full period if the operation is less than 30 days) or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves the area of operations.

The AFEM is authorized for service in direct support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH between 1 Dec 95 and 18 Mar 03 with the following area of responsibility: total land area and airspace of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq, and the waters and airspace above that portion of the Arabian gulf that lies west of 056 degrees East longitude.

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 31 May 16 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 the requested relief.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS 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-2016-00328 in Executive Session on 11 May 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				    , Panel Chair
					   , Member
					  , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 13 Jan 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 22 Apr 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 31 May 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.