RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00961 

						COUNSEL:  
	
						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

a.  Air Medal (AM) with 4th Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) (administratively corrected).

b.  Meritorious Unit Award (MUA) (administratively corrected).

c.  “Air Force Expeditionary Service Medal” [sic].  (administratively corrected with the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (AFESR w/GB).

d.  Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) (administratively corrected). 

e.  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E)

f.  Item 18, Remarks, to reflect Operation Enduring Freedom, from 21 Jun 12 to 2 Mar 13.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, but the information and decorations are not reflected on his DD Form 214.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 29 May 07.

On 28 May 17, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 6 years of active service. 

On 13 Jul 16, AFPC/DP2SP was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the following Air Force decorations, and upon final Board decision, AFPC/DP2STM will administratively correct the applicant’s personnel record:

	a.  AM w/4OLC (administratively corrected).

	b.  MUA (administratively corrected).

	c.  AFESR w/GB (administratively corrected).

	d.  ACM with one Bronze Service Star (administratively corrected).

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/DP2SP recommends denial of the GWOT-E indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  

Service members qualified for the GWOT-E by reasons of service between 11 Sep 01 and 30 Apr 05, in an area for which the ACM was subsequently authorized, shall remain qualified for that medal.  However, upon application, any such service member may be awarded the ACM in lieu of the GWOT-E for such service provided they meet the established eligibility criteria for the ACM.  No service member shall be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement, or period of service.  No service member will qualify for the GWOT-E after 30 Apr 05, but will earn only the ACM.

The applicant was assigned to the 52nd Expeditionary Intelligence Squadron, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, Afghanistan, between 3 Oct 12 and 8 Feb 13.  The applicant's dates of service are past the award inclusive period for award of the GWOT-E for service in Afghanistan. The appropriate award for the applicant's deployment is the ACM.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2SP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP2STM recommends denial of including Operation Enduring Freedom on the applicant’s DD Form 214, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  

Governing directives/policy do not allow the inclusion of operation participation on a published DD Form 214 for a Regular Air Force component member, unless it is attached to an expeditionary medal, and then if participation is confirmed, it can be recorded in parenthesis behind a respective medal.  The applicant has not been awarded an expeditionary medal.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2STM evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 28 Mar 17 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  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 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 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-2016-00961 in Executive Session on 11 Jul 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00961 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Mar 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2SP, dated 13 Jul 16.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 22 Sep 16.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 28 Mar 17.
	
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.