RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-04606

XXXX XXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST:  That he be awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTION:  He was deployed to the Persian Gulf during several campaigns and should have received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS.  The applicant served in the Regular Air Force from 7 Jun 90 to 4 Mar 98.  The applicant’s dates of service were prior to the establishment of the Air Force Combat Action Medal.  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 because the applicant’s service dates were prior to the establishment of the Air Force Combat Action Medal.   The Air Force Combat Action Medal was established on 15 Mar 07, to recognize Air Force members who actively participated in combat.  Retroactive awards prior to 11 Sep 01 are not authorized.  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 19 Dec 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

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/injustice/error and 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.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:  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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-04606 in Executive Session on 22 Mar 18:

	 Panel Chair
	 Member
	 Member

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

Exhibit A:  Applicant’s application, DD Form 149, dated 4 Nov 16.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 6 Dec 17.
Exhibit D:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 19 Dec 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.