RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-01880
		
   						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM w/2BOLC).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was initially awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal in 2001 for a permanent change of station (PCS) assignment.  However, her PCS assignment was later cancelled.  Therefore, the AFCM was revoked since the reason for award of the decoration, the PCS, no longer existed.  However, this decoration captures an important part of her military career and she would like to receive the decoration.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 6 Jan 94. 

Under Special Order GB-00026, the applicant was awarded the basic AFCM for meritorious service for the inclusive period of 10 Jan 98 to 10 Mar 00.

Special Order number GB-00080, dated 16 May 00, amended order number GB-00026, dated 25 Feb 00.  Under “Remarks,” the order states the AFCM for the applicant “is revoked due to reason for decoration no longer exists.”

Under Special Order GA-0115, dated 25 Apr 03, Kunsan Air Base (AB), Korea, the applicant was awarded the AFCM, (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service for the inclusive period of 10 Jan 02 to 9 Jan 03.  

Under Special order number GB-215 dated 8 Feb 11, Dover Air Force Base (AFB), DE, the applicant was again awarded the AFCM for meritorious service.  This time the inclusive period was from 20 Jan 98 through 15 Dec 01 instead of 10 Mar 00.  The award citation reflects the decoration as the AFCM (Second Oak Leaf Cluster).

Under Special Order G-15955, dated 15 Mar 10, the US Air Force Central Command (USFACENT) awarded the applicant the AFCM for outstanding achievement during the period 1 Sep 09 through 7 Feb 10.  The award citation reflects the decoration as the AFCM (First Oak Leaf Cluster). 

Under Special Order AB-001, dated 25 Feb 15, the Force Support Squadron (FSS) at Randolph AFB, Texas amended the orders (GA-0115) issued by Kunsan AB, Korea awarding the applicant the AFCM to change the AFCM “First Oak Leaf Cluster” to reflect that it was a Basic AFCM.

Under Special Order AB-002, dated 4 Mar 15, the FSS at Randolph AFB, Texas amended the order number GB-215 dated 8 Feb 11 issued by Dover AFB, DE awarding the applicant the AFCM (Second Oak Leaf Cluster), to revoke the award “due to invalid submission.”  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  In 2011, in an attempt to properly recognize the applicant for her service while assigned to Dover AFB, DE during the period Jan 98 through Dec 01, procedures were not followed, specifically; Exception to Policy (ETP) approval was not obtained.  

On 24 Feb 15, the Randolph AFB FSS contacted AFPC/DP3SP contending the applicant's AFCM w/2BLOC was processed outside of the guidelines established per AFI 36-2803,  section 3.1.  However, Randolph AFB FSS does not have the authority to amend, revoke, or otherwise change a decoration approved by another approval authority.  

Based on the timeline from Dover AFB, it appears there was possibly miscommunication between the AFBCMR and Dover AFB in regard to the timeliness of processing the applicant's decoration.  It appears Dover was asking if they were still within the time frames for their offices to press with processing the applicant's decoration and perhaps the AFBCMR though Dover was inquiring about the applicant's prior DD Form 149 request that was closed by the applicant and the applicant still being within the timeframe to reopen her case.

The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, below the grade of Colonel and foreign military personnel, who, while serving in any capacity with the Department of the Air Force after 28 Mar 58, distinguish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service.  Per AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, dated 15 Jun 01, section 3.1 submit recommendations as soon as possible following the act, achievement, or service.  Enter each recommendation into official channels within two years and award within three years of the act, achievement, or service performed.  Note: a recommendation is placed in official channels when the recommending official signs the recommendation (Decor 6 and justification) and a higher official in the chain of command endorses it.  

Recommend approval of award of the Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for the applicant’s AFCM.  Should the Board approve, recommend:

a.  The two amendments issued by Randolph AFB FSS revoking one AFCM award and modifying another AFCM award be rendered void.

b.  Special Order GB-215, dated 8 February 2011, awarding the applicant the AFCM at Dover AFB be amended to reflect it was the applicant's basic AFCM award. 

c.  Special Order G-15955, dated 15 March 2010, awarding the applicant the AFCM at USAFCENT, be amended to reflect it was the applicant's Second Oak Leaf Cluster.  

d.  The Military Personnel Data System will need to be updated to reflect the applicant was awarded a total of three AFCMs.

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 13 Jan 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.  Sufficient 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 and agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show:

	a.  Special Order Number AB-002, dated 4 March 2015, amending Order GB-215, dated 8 February 2011, is hereby rescinded.  

	b.  Special Order Number AB-001 dated 25 February 2015, amending Order GA-0115, dated 25 April 2003, is hereby rescinded.  

	c.  Special Order GB-215, dated 8 February 2011, awarding the Air Force Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) be amended to reflect award of the Basic Air Force Commendation Medal. 

	d.  Special Order G-15955, dated 15 March 2010, awarding the Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) be amended to reflect award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster.) 

	e.  The Military Personnel Data System be updated to reflect she was awarded three Air Force Commendation Medals.  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-01880 in Executive Session on 20 Apr 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-01880 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 May 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 17 Aug 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 Jan 17.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above-entitled matter.