RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-03956

	COUNSEL:  NONE
	
	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty be corrected to reflect award of the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have been awarded the ICM and given the opportunity to exchange it in lieu for the GWOT.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a retired Air Force major.  On 31 Jul 14, the applicant was relieved from active duty and retired, effective 1 Aug 14.  According to the documents provided by the applicant, he participated in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 12 Dec 09 through 7 Jan 10, flying 110 combat hours in the area of responsibility.  The GWOT was awarded and reflects on the applicants DD Form 214.  

Per DoDM 1348.33-V2, Manual Of Military Decorations And Awards: DoD Service Awards – Campaign, Expeditionary, And Service Medals paragraph 4.10, the ICM is awarded to members who were permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that operated within the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or for 60 non-consecutive days or meet other specific criteria.  A member may be awarded either the ICM or GWOT by reason of service in Iraq.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2SP recommends denying the application.  The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) verified the applicant received Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay from 1 Jul 09  to 31 Jul 09 for time in the Philippines and received Combat Zone Tax Exemption from 1 Dec 09 to 28 Feb 10 for time served in Afghanistan.  DFAS records show no time in Iraq.  

The applicant should have been awarded the Meritorious Unit Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (MUA w/4BOLC) and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/V & 1SOLC).  Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DP2STM.  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 Oct 17 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 25 Oct 17.  In his response, the applicant contends he never deployed to Afghanistan and if he did he would have been awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.  He also states since retiring he has moved several times and shredded or destroyed old papers, which may have included old vouchers.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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.  Should the applicant provide copies of his paid travel vouchers indicating the exact date of service in the area of eligibility (AOE) along with the exact location, the Board would be willing to reconsider his request.  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-2016-03956 in Executive Session on 17 May 18:

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atch, dated 22 Sep 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2SP, dated 13 Dec 16.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 6 Oct 17.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s response, dated 25 Oct 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.