RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-01441 

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NOT ANNOTATED

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect she was authorized and awarded the following:

a.  Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) (administratively corrected).

b.  Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM).

c.  All awards to which entitled but not limited to “combat awards”.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

They were omitted from her 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 27 Apr 04.

On 26 Apr 08, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 4 years of active service.  

On 25 Jul 16, AFPC/DP3SP was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the AFAM.  Upon final Board decision, AFPC/DP2STM will administratively correct the applicant’s personnel record to reflect these decorations. 

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 ACM recognizes service members who serve, or have served, in the country of Afghanistan in support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  The area of eligibility (AOE) encompasses all land and air space of the country of Afghanistan.  The ACM period of eligibility is on or after 11 Sep 01 to a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense.  Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the AOE for 30 consecutive days, or for 60 non-consecutive days, or meet one of the following criteria: been engaged in combat during an armed engagement regardless of the time in the AOE, or while participating in an operation or on official duties were wounded or injured and required medical evacuation from the AOE.  Aircrew members accrue one day of eligibility for each day they fly into, out of, within, or over the AOE in direct support of the military operation.

Initial award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) was limited to personnel deployed abroad to specific geographic areas of eligibility' in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan) or Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  The creation of the ACM and the Iraq Campaign Medal changed the eligibility requirements for some personnel.  Individuals authorized for the award must have been deployed abroad for service in Global War on Terrorism operations on or after 11 Sep 01 to a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense.  Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that participated in designated operations in the specified AOE for 30 consecutive days, or 60 non-consecutive days, or meet one of the following criteria: were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger or death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, regardless of time in the AOE, while participating in the designated operation, regardless of time in the area of eligibility, were killed, wounded, or injured requiring medical evacuation from the AOE.  Service members participating as regularly assigned aircrew members flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the AOE in direct support of GWOTEM approved operations are eligible for the GWOTEM.  Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive day requirement.

After a thorough review of the applicant's official military personnel record, we were unable to substantiate the applicant met the award criteria established for award of the ACM or GWOTEM.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP3SP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In support of her response, the applicant resubmitted a copy of her AFAM certificate/special order.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, is at Exhibit E.

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 relief beyond that rendered administratively.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

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-2016-01441 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-2016-01441 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Apr 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 25 Jul 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 9 Mar 17.
	Exhibit E.  Applicant Rebuttal, 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.