RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03898

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was involved in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq from 15 Apr 15 to 20 May 15.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 31 Aug 16, the applicant was honorably discharged as an Air Force master sergeant and was credited with 20 years, 3 months, and 9 days of active service to include 6 years, 9 months, and 18 days foreign service.

On 20 Oct 15, the applicant was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM w/2OLC) for his support of Operation Inherent Resolve for the period of 14 Apr 15 to 20 May 15.

On 27 Apr 16, 9 ESOC/CC issued a “boots on ground” letter, provided by the applicant, verifying foreign service in Iraq for the period of 14 Apr 15 to 20 May 15. (See Exhibit A).

On 20 Jun 16, per the incomplete Travel Voucher or Subvoucher (DD Form 1351-2 provided by the applicant, he left Qatar on 14 Apr 16 and reports arriving and departing Iraq on 20 May 16. (See Exhibit A).

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2SP recommends denying the application.  The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal shall be awarded to each service member who, on or after 15 Jun 14, was permanently assigned, attached, or detailed for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days to a unit operating in the area of eligibility.  The applicant submitted a Travel Voucher or Subvoucher (DD Form 1351-2) showing he was in Iraq on 20 May 15.  Although the travel voucher appears to have been erroneously recorded, there is no official documentation in the applicant’s master personnel records to verify required consecutive time in area of eligibility.  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 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/DP2SP 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-2016-03898 in Executive Session on 23 May 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 27 Sep 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2SP, dated 05 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.