RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-04392

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST.  That the Defense Meritorious Service Medal be added to his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTION.  He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal subsequent to his retirement and provided copies of a certificate and citation; however, he does not have a special order.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS.  The applicant is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.  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 granting the application.  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 2 Nov 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.  

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 the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with AFPC/DP3SP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 31 December 1988 retirement, be amended in Block 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized (All Periods of Service), to reflect the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-04392 in Executive Session on 22 Mar 18:

, Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record as recommended.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A: Applicant’s application, DD Form 149, dated 28 Oct 16, w/atchs.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 5 Oct 17.
Exhibit D: Notification of Advisory, AFBCMR to applicant, dated 2 Nov 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.