RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03690

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He flew in operations in El Salvador in support of counter insurgency operations on 17 Mar 81 while being subjected to direct fire sustaining bullet holes in his aircraft during the mission.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 8 Jan 83, the applicant received an honorable discharge and was credited with 3 years and 11 months to include 10 months and 9 days foreign service.

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 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is authorized for qualifying service in support of operations in El Salvador from 1 Jan 81 to 1 Feb 92.  The applicant provided an illegible travel voucher for the time period in question and there is no official documentation in the applicant’s master personnel records to verify he served in direct support of operations in El Salvador for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days.

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 26 Sep 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

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.  Furthermore, the Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered, or should have been discovered, as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  While the applicant asserts a date of discovery less than three years before the Board’s receipt of the application, the Board does not find the assertion reasonable.  The Board finds the application untimely and concludes it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

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 RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

The application was adjudicated without a personal appearance.

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-2016-03690 in Executive Session on 23 May 18:

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 08 Sep 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 14 Jan 17.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 26 Sep 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.