RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00680 

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her records be corrected to reflect award of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Anyone who served honorably should be entitled to the NDSM.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 21 Dec 77.

On 15 Sep 80, the applicant received an honorable discharge, and was credited with 2 years, 8 months, and 25 days of total active 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 applicant's dates of service did not fall within a period for which the NDSM is authorized; rendering the applicant ineligible.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.

The NDSM was established on 22 Apr 53, and amended 11 Jan 66, to recognize honorable active military service during periods of conflict or national crisis.  Members of the Armed Forces of the United States, to include the United States Coast Guard, who are on active duty, members of the Selected Reserve in good standing, members of other than the Selected Reserve called to active duty, cadets in the United States Air Force Academy, and United States Air Force members who have completed United States Air Force Basic Training are eligible for the medal.  Ineligible members include Reserve Officer Training Corp cadets and members called to active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination, for training only, or to serve on boards, courts, or commissions.

The NDSM is authorized for service during the Korean Conflict (27 Jun 50 to 27 Jul 54), the Vietnam Conflict (1 Jan 61 to 14 Aug 74), the Gulf War (2 Aug 90 to 30 Nov 95), and the Global War on Terrorism (11 Sep 01 to a date to be determined).

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 16 Nov 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD:

Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a careful review of the applicant's contentions, documentation submitted in support of the request, and the available evidence of record, we are not convinced the applicant has provided sufficient evidence for us to conclude that she is the victim of an error or injustice.  We also note the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603.  Therefore, because we do not find it would be in the interest of justice to recommend granting relief, and the applicant has offered no plausible reason for the delay in filing the application, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file the application.  Accordingly, we find the application untimely.

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness.  It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00680 in Executive Session on 13 Jun 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				    , Panel Chair
					, Member
				 , Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00680 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Dec 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 20 May 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 16 Nov 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.