RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03839 

  						COUNSEL:  NONE

HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  He be awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) (Administratively corrected). 

2.  He be reconsidered for promotion through a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2015A (CY15A) Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Line of the Air Force (LAF) Central Selection Board (CSB). 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DMSM was approved on 16 Feb 16 for an assignment which ended on 27 Sep 14, but due to an administrative error it was not available for the P0515A In-the-Primary-Zone (IPZ) Lt Col LAF CSB.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served as Air Force Section Chief, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras during the period 26 Sep 12 through 27 Sep 14.  

On 2 Mar 15, the applicant was not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY15A Lt Col LAF CSB.    

According to the documentation submitted by the applicant, on 14 Dec 15, he was nominated to USCOUTHCOM for award of the DMSM for the period of performance from 26 Sep 12 through 27 Sep 14, with the following remark from the recommending official:  “(The applicant) was Air Force Section Chief from Sep 12 through Sep 14.  Due to a computer network problem, his end of tour decoration never reached SOUTHCOM.” 

Under US Southern Command Permanent Order, 048-001-16, dated 17 Feb 16, the applicant was awarded the DMSM, cover the period of performance of 26 Sep 12 through 27 Sep 16 (Sic).  

On 9 Jun 16, the applicant was notified he was not selected for promotion on the CY16B Lt Col LAF CSB.  

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:

AFPC/DP2SP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  Although the applicant’s requested decoration is now a matter of record, the “Given Under My Hand” on the decoration in question of 16 Feb 16 is after the board convening date of 2 Mar 15.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2SP evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluations was forwarded to the applicant on 20 Oct 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 injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  While we note the comments of AFPC/DP2SP indicating relief should be denied because his DMSM covering the period 26 Sep 12 through 27 Sep 14 was not approved for award until 16 Feb 16 after the CY15A Lt Col LAF CSB, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates corrective action is warranted.  In this respect, we note the remarks from the official recommending the applicant for the DMSM, stating “Due _to a computer network problem, his End of Tour decoration never reached SOUTHCOM.”  As such, it is our opinion that through no fault of the applicant’s, his records were denied a fair assessment at the CY15A Lt Col LAF CSB.  Accordingly, 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:

	a.  Change the “Given Under My Hand” date of his Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) covering the period 26 September 2012 through 27 September 2014 to read “28 September 2014.”

b.  Consider his corrected records for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2015A Line of the Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board, and any subsequent lieutenant colonel selection boards he met without the DMSM in his official record. 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-03839 in Executive Session on 14 Feb 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-03839 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Jul 16, w/atch(s).
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2SP, dated 14 Dec 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 20 Oct 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.