RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-04273

	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 Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received the award after his discharge and wants it annotated on his DD Form 214.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 Jul 81, the applicant was honorably retired as an Air Force master sergeant.

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 Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to service members assigned to traditional single-service organizations and units, whereas the Defense Meritorious Service Medal is a Defense/Joint award that is awarded to service members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States.  The Meritorious Service Medal may be awarded for outstanding achievement or service while serving in a designated combat zone.  The Meritorious Service Medal may be awarded posthumously.  There is no official documentation in the applicant’s master personnel records to verify his eligibility or a recommendation for the MSM.

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 25 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.  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-2016-04273 in Executive Session on 13 Jun 18:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 20 Oct 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 27 Jun 17.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 25 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.