RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01415 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

Her records be corrected to reflect award of the National Defense 
Service Medal (NDSM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

She is entitled to the NDSM for her honorable service from the 
period 28 Jan 89 to 29 Jan 91. She further contends all who 
served during any eligibility period and the designated period 
had been declared a national emergency are entitled to the NDSM. 

 

In support of her request, the applicant provides a copy of her 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, a statement, and an extract from USAMilitaryMedals.com. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained 
in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air 
Force. Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in 
this Record of Proceedings. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ AFPC/DPSIDR reviewed this application and recommends denial. 
DPSIDR notes military members are awarded the NDSM for honorable 
service for the following periods 27 Jun 50-27 Jul 54, 1 Jan 61-
14 Aug 74, 2 Aug 90-30 Nov 95, and 11 Sep 01 through a date to be 
determined. 

 

The applicant served on active duty from 24 Jan 89 through 29 Jan 
91. She was discharged with a general discharge for a pattern of 
disciplinary infractions, which included five instances of 


dereliction of duty. The applicant’s misconduct began around 
30 Oct 89 and continued throughout the inclusive period for the 
medal. Her behavior failed to reach the level of honorable 
service for entitlement to the NDSM. 

 

The complete copy HQ AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant contends the various websites she viewed did not 
indicate that receiving a general discharge makes her ineligible 
for the NDSM. An under honorable conditions (general) discharge 
may not be perfect but it is still honorable and should qualify 
for award of the NDSM. 

 

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 an error or injustice to warrant 
award of the NDSM. We took notice of the applicant's complete 
submission, to include her rebuttal response, 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 
basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this 
application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-01415 in Executive Session on 6 Dec 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 
 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 29 Mar 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 9 Jun 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 28 Jul 11, atchs.