RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02208 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty be corrected to reflect the following decorations and medals earned during the period Oct 01 to 0ct 02:

Bronze Star Medal (BSM) (will be administratively corrected).

Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM w/1OLC) (will be administratively corrected).

Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) (no action required; already reflected on the DD Form 214 for the period ending 3 Oct 02).

Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) (no action required; already reflected on the DD Form 214 for the period ending 3 Oct 02).

Combat Readiness Medal with five OLCs (CRM w/5OLCs) (will be administratively corrected to reflect the CRM w/6OLCs).

Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) (no action required; already reflected on the NGB Form 22.

Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Service Star (ACM w/1SS) (will be administratively corrected).

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E) (will be administratively corrected).

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S) (will be administratively corrected).
Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM).
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal (NDOSM).
AF Overseas Ribbon-Short (AFOSR-S) (no action required; already reflected on the DD Form 214 for the period ending

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

Oct 02).
AF Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and
two OLCs (AFESR w/Gold Border and 2OLCs) (will be administratively corrected).
AF Longevity Service Ribbon with three OLCs (AFLSR w/3OLCs) (no action required; AFLSR w/4OLCs already reflected on the NGB Form 22).
AF Combat Action Medal (AFCAM).
He	be	issued	a	DD	Form	215,	Correction	to	DD	Form	214/5, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He earned the decorations while deployed in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM; however, they were received after his DD Form 214 was issued.
The AFCAM was established on 15 Mar 07 but was made retroactive to
11 Sep 11. The dates he was engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force were during the retroactive period.
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 20 May 92.

According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, he served on active duty in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 15 Oct 01 to 3 Oct 02.

According to special order G02-018, dated 7 Jan 02, the applicant was awarded the AFCM for non-combat outstanding service during the period 1 Jul 00 to 26 May 01.

According to special order G-1573, dated 3 Apr 03, the applicant was awarded the BSM for meritorious achievement during the period
20 Apr 02 to 3 May 02.
According to AF IMT 104, Service Medal Award Verification, dated
20 May 12, the applicant was awarded the CRM w/6OLCs during the period 20 May 10 to 20 May 12 and the AFLSR w/4OLCs during the period 20 May 08 to 20 May 12.

According to Reserve Order EK-6179, dated 27 Aug 12, on 22 Feb 13, the applicant was relieved from his current assignment and assigned to the Retired Reserve Section and placed on the Reserve Retired List. He was credited with 20 years, 9 months and 2 days of total service for retired pay.

According to special order G-003589, dated 7 Nov 12, the applicant was awarded the MSM w/1OLC for non-combat meritorious/achievement during the period 20 May 96 to 22 Feb 13.

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:
NGB/A1PS recommends partial relief indicating the supporting documentation provided by the applicant is sufficient for HQ ARPC to administratively correct and reissue the applicant a DD  Form
214 to reflect award of the BSM, MSM w/1OLC, CRM w/6OLCs, ACM w/1SS, GWOT-E, GWOT-S, AFESR w/Gold Border with 2OLCs, which were awarded after he returned home from his deployment.

NGB/A1PS recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the AFCAM indicating that in accordance with AFI 36-2803, The AF Military Awards and Decorations Program, the commander must recommend approval for the award. Supporting documentation to include the AF Form 3994, Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations, was not provided.

IAW AFI 36-2803, the AFCAM will be restricted to members of the United States Armed Forces who on or after 11 Sep 01, deliberately go into enemy’s domain (outside the wire) to conduct official duties, either on the ground or in the air, and have come under enemy fire by lethal weapons while performing those duties, and are at risk of grave danger; or while defending the base (inside/on the wire), must have come under fire and engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire, and are at risk of grave danger; or are personnel in ground operation who actively engage the enemy with direct and lethal fires also may qualify even if no direct fire is taken, as long as there was risk of grave danger and meet other criteria. The required documentation must be accomplished on the AF Form 3994, to include as a minimum: a narrative explanation of the circumstances (date, time, location, event description, other members present, etc.), submitted by a person with first-hand knowledge of the incident through the commander to the first colonel in the operational chain who will then submit to the approving official.

NGB/A1PS recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the HSM indicating they were unable to locate any supporting

documentation that the applicant earned the award during his active duty time from Oct 01 to Oct 02.

NGB/A1PS recommends the applicant provide supporting documentation regarding his request for award of the NDOSM during the period of service requested. This would allow the award to be added to the applicant’s DD Form 214.

A complete copy of the NBG/A1PS evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 30 Jan 17, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
After reviewing the NGB/A1PS advisory opinion, dated 15 Aug 16, the Board staff determined the advisory did not address all the applicant’s issues. Specifically, the advisory incorrectly stated The AFLSR w/3OLCs was reflected on his DD Form 214.

In a memorandum dated 5 Jul 17, NGB/A1PS revised their advisory opinion and states the AFLSR w/4OLCs [sic] was not earned during the period Oct 01 to Oct 02.	In addition, the AFGCM and AFOR-S are currently reflected on his DD Form 214 for the period ending Oct 02 [sic].
A complete copy of the NGB/A1PS revised evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUTION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 6 Jul 17, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F). 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 (OPR) and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

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 our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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-2016-02208 in Executive Session on 9 Nov 17, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair Member
Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02208 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 22 May 16 and 17 Jan 17 w/atchs.
Exhibit B.	Excerpts from Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, NGB/A1PS, dated 15 Aug 16, w/atch. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 Jan 17, w/atch.
Exhibit E.	Memorandum, NGB/A1PS, dated 5 Jul 17, w/atch. Exhibit F.	Letter SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Jul 17, w/atch.

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.