RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02078 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) as a 
retirement decoration for his 20 years of honorable service. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

1. AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, 
paragraph 2.3.4, states “review records and consider the 
individual’s entire career to determine the appropriate level of 
decoration for retirement.” 

 

2. His entire 20-year career was not considered for his 
retirement decoration. 

 

3. His personnel records do not contain any adverse actions; he 
was recognized and awarded medals during his career, and he 
maintained the highest performance standards. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of a 
draft MSM citation. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 30 March 2002, the applicant’s was awarded the AFCM for the 
period ending 30 March 2002. 

 

On 1 October 2003, the applicant retired in the grade of master 
sergeant after serving 20 years, 4 months and 6 days of total 
active service. 

 

The MSM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United 
States who distinguish themselves by outstanding non-combat 
meritorious achievement or service to the United States 
subsequent to 16 January 1969. Normally, the acts or services 
rendered must be comparable to that required for the Legion of 
Merit (LOM) but in a duty of lesser though considerable 
responsibility. 

 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states AFI 36-2803, 
paragraph 2.2 states there is no requirement to present a 
retirement decoration. Decorations are a voluntary act of the 
recommending official. Also, there was no special order found 
in the applicant’s records and no official signature was located 
on the provided citation. 

 

The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant states he is merely seeking a small amount of 
recognition in the form of a retirement MSM based on his 20-year 
military record, which includes unit and personal awards and the 
MSM citation that was not forwarded on his behalf. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit E. 

 

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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 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. While the 
applicant believes he should have been awarded an MSM based on 
his military record and the awards he received, we do not find 
the evidence provided is sufficient to conclude that his 
commander’s decision not to award him the MSM or any other 
decoration at retirement constituted error or injustice. We 
would point out that even if we believe the applicant’s record 
meets the basic requirements for award of the requested 
decoration, without knowing the reasons the commander chose not 
to grant the applicant an award, we do not have a basis to 
substitute our judgment for that of the commander. Therefore, 
we conclude that on the basis of the evidence provided, the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, the applicant's request 
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. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-
2011-02078 in Executive Session on 22 Sept 11 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 


 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 May 11, w/atchs. 

Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Record. 

Exhibit C. HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, Letter, dated 20 Jul 1l. 

Exhibit D. SAF/MRBR, Letter, dated 29 Jul 11. 

Exhibit E. Applicant’s Rebuttal, Letter, dated 8 Aug 11.