RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-01364 

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her records show that she was active service during the Gulf War.  She is filing a claim for veteran benefits.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 24 Aug 87.

On 25 Jun 92, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 4 years, 10 months, and 2 days of active service.   

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility, 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 SWASM is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who served in support of Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm between 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95 in one or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and waters) directly supporting combat operations between 17 Jan 91 and 30 Nov 95.  To be eligible, a service member must:  be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days with an organization participating in ground and/or shore (military) operations; be permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations; have actually participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated; have served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days.  Those time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.  

Although they were able to verify the applicant served at Pirinclik Air Station, Turkey, between 24 Aug 87 and 2 Jul 88, her dates of service in Turkey are prior to the award inclusive period for award of the SWASM and prior to the start date of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM.  Furthermore, there is no indication in her record verifying she deployed to the area of responsibility in direct support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or Operation DESERT STORM, nor does the applicant claim to have been at an eligible location.

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 22 Feb 17 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 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 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-2016-01364 in Executive Session on 3 Aug 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

					Panel Chair
					Member
					Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-01364 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 Mar 16, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 5 Aug 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 22 Feb 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.