RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03612

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following:

	1). Southwest Asia Service Medal with one Service Star (SWASM w/1SS), and

	2). the Kuwait Liberation Medal (KLM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His service performed in Nov 99 during Operation Desert Shield in Saudi Arabia make him eligible for both awards.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 06 Feb 95, the applicant received an honorable discharge and was credited with 10 years and 2 days net active service this period and has no foreign service.  His DD Form 214 for that time period states in block 18 under remarks that he served 2 Aug 90 to 23 Feb 91 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.  

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 Southwest Asia Service Medal is awarded to members of the United States armed forces who served in support of Operation Desert Shield or Desert Storm in one or more of the following areas from 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995; the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 100 north latitude and west 68 east longitude, as well as the total 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 water) directly supporting combat operations between 17 January 1991 and 30 November 1995..  DP3SP is unable to verify the applicant served in the area of eligibility for award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal.  

The Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait is awarded to those members who served in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993, in one or more of the following areas: the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west 68 degrees east longitude; Gulf of Aden; or, the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates.  DP3SP is unable to verify the applicant served in the area of eligibility for award of the Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait.  In addition, the applicant was not credited with any foreign service while on active duty.  

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 22 Aug 16 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 01 Nov 17.  The applicant states written orders were not provided and this is not the only time he deployed without orders.  In further support of his request, the applicant provides an email from an Air Force archivist.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not 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.  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-2016-03612 in Executive Session on 30 May 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 22 Aug 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 12 Dec 16.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 22 Sep 17.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s response, dated 01 Nov 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.