RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-03925 INDEX CODE: 107.00 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect his award of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He received the AFSM for his participation in OPERATION JOINT FORGE when he was sent on temporary duty (TDY) to San Vito Dei Normanni Air Station (AS), Italy, from 3 November 1998 to 16 December 1998. He is trying to enter the field of law enforcement and he would like the medal to appear on his DD Form 214. In support of his appeal, the applicant has provided copies of his DD Form 214 and an AFSM certificate. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 9 October 1996, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the age of 23 in the rank of airman first class (E-3). He was promoted to the rank of senior airman (E-4) effective and with a date of rank of 9 August 1998. On 30 June 1999, the applicant was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve. He was credited with 2 years, 8 months, and 22 days of active duty service. His DD Form 214 reflects no foreign service, and that he was awarded the Air Force Training Ribbon and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denying the applicant’s request. DPAPP states that a review of his master personnel records failed to provide any documents to substantiate he served TDY at San Vito AS, or that he had any foreign or overseas service. The alleged period of TDY would have been performed while the applicant was assigned to the xx Supply Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida. A check with the Defense Accounting and Finance Service (DFAS) revealed there was no record of any combat zone, TDY support, or anything on his pay account. A further check with the Air Force Historical Agency failed to produce any information or documentation that could verify the TDY in question. DPAPP asked the applicant to make one last check of his personal documents for evidence of his TDY; however, he did not respond. The DPAPP evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denying the applicant’s request for the AFSM. DPSIDR states that the AFSM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 1 June 1992, (1) participate, or have participated, as members of U.S. military units, in a U.S. military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity by the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and (2) encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action. Following a review of the applicant’s records, they find no evidence to verify the applicant was ever TDY outside of the United States. The DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 27 June 2008 for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ _ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. After a thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence the individual is eligible for the award of the AFSM. We note the applicant submitted a copy of an AFSM certificate; however, he did not provide any official documentary evidence, i.e., travel orders, travel voucher, or a corroborating witness statement, to substantiate his claim. There is no indication in his records that he was deployed to San Vito Dei Normanni AS, Italy, in support of OPERATION JOINT FORGE, or that he was recommended for, or awarded, the AFSM. In the absence of such evidence we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. Therefore, we agree with the opinions and recommendations from the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our decision that the applicant is not a victim of error or injustice in regard to award of the AFSM. In view of the above, we find no basis to favorably consider this application. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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. ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 7 August 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-03925: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Oct 07, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 2 Jun 2008, w/atchs. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 17 Jun 2008. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Jun 2008.