RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-01751
		INDEX CODE:  107.00, 131.01
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  YES
					
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: Dec 08, 2008

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

In three separate DD Form 149s, the applicant requests the Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM), Global War on Terrorism Medal (GWOT-S), and the Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) be added to his DD Form 214, Report of Separation or Discharge from the Armed Forces.  

He be granted special selection board (SSB) consideration for promotion to lieutenant colonel with the above requested medals included in his officer selection brief.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He believes his records are in error and unjust due to the medals not being included in his promotion board records.

In support of his request, applicant provided the criteria for each requested medal, a copy of his DD Form 214, a travel voucher, airline ticket stubs with reservations, rental vehicle receipts, and Special Orders.

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant retired from the Air Force on 1 Jul 04, in the grade of major, with 20 years, 5 months, and 26 days total active federal military service, of which 6 years, 9 months, and 16 days were Foreign Service.

AFPC/DPPPRA notified the applicant on 23 Jul 07 that the ICM and GWOT-S were listed on his DD Form 214.  Additionally, DPPPRA provided the applicant with an AF Form 3994, Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations, and requested he complete it and return it to them along with any additional justification to further support his request for the AFCAM.   The applicant was also advised that his request for the AFCAM could be administratively corrected without forwarding it to the AFBCMR.  As of this date, the applicant has failed to respond to DPPPRA’s request.

The applicant had a similar appeal previously considered by the Board.  On 25 Apr 01, the AFBCMR corrected the applicant’s records by amending two officer performance reports (OPRs) and directed that he be considered by a Special Selection Board for the CY99B Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board and any subsequent boards that the OPRs as corrected were not a matter of record.  He met and was not selected by the CY99B (6 Dec 99), CY00A (28 Nov 00), CY01B (5 Nov 01), CY02B (12 Nov 02) and CY03A (8 Jul 03) Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Boards.  

On 6 Sep 06, the AFBCMR also denied the applicant’s request for a direct promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel as if selected by the CY99B Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board. 

Other relevant facts are outlined in the AFPC/DPPPO opinion at Exhibit C.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommends denial of the applicant’s request in regards to his request for SSB consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel.  

The Air Force Combat Actions, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal are not authorized decorations to be reflected on the officer selection brief.  In addition, these medals were not in existence at the time the applicant met his promotion boards.  Therefore, he is not entitled to an SSB.

In addition, the applicant has not provided any evidence that errors existed for any promotion board he was eligible to meet.  

The corrections the applicant has requested are for the DD Form 214, which is not seen by a promotion board.  Without proof of error, there is no entitlement for an SSB.

The AFPC/DPPPO complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 10 Aug 07 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has not received a response.
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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2007-01751 in Executive Session on 25 September 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149 (3), w/atchs, dated 21 May 07.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 25 Jul 07.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Aug 07.