RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02717

	COUNSEL: NONE
	
 	HEARING: NO	

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The applicant requests award of the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The applicant contends, while deployed, he received direct small arms fire on multiple occasions and was involved in dozens of mortar attacks.  Due to these actions, he should be awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, he served in the Iowa Air National Guard, in the grade of Senior Airman, and was mobilized/recalled to active duty on 19 Sep 05.  

The applicant received a Letter of Evaluation for the period of 8 Dec 05 – 12 Jun 06.  The applicant was praised for his efforts at the Mosul Public Service Academy, Mosul, Iraq, and for his overall performance.  

Upon demobilization and release from active duty on 16 Jul 06, he was separated with an honorable character of service, was credited with 9 months and 28 days of active service, to include 6 months and 2 days of foreign service.  The applicant was awarded with the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Ribbon with the Gold Border.  

On 13 Oct 16, AFPC/DP3SP determined the applicant should have been awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour.  Upon final board deliberation, administrative correction of the official record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  The applicant has not provided documentation to support an error or injustice exists nor were we able to locate official documentation substantiating his claim within his official military record.  For award consideration, the applicant must first submit a detailed account of events to United States Air Forces Central Command.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 6 Jun 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The Board, with respect to the Air Force Combat Action Medal, suggests the applicant first request relief by submitting a detailed account of the specific act (s) to United States Air Forces Central Command.  Instructions for this submission is detailed in the AFPC/DP3SP advisory.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-02717 in Executive Session on 1 May 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, undated.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 13 Oct 16.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 6 Jun 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.