RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04256 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His official military records be corrected to reflect that he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM), and any other missing medals that should have been awarded. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His missing awards were an oversight on the part of the Air Force. He enlisted in the Naval Reserve, then transferred to the Air Force, serving honorably during his course of service. When he was promoted to Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) status in Jan 74, he still had not received the customary medals others had received. In support of his request, the applicant provides copy of an AF Form 909, Airman Performance Report, and two letters of recommendation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the U.S. Navy Reserve during the period 3 Nov 70 through 9 Nov 71. On 10 Nov 71, the applicant entered the active duty Air Force. On 19 Apr 74, the applicant was separated from the Air Force, furnished an Honorable discharge, and was credited with two years, five months, and ten days of active service. The reason for his separation was the applicant admitted to his commander he had bisexual tendencies. The AFGCM was established on 1 Jun 63 and is awarded to enlisted Air Force personnel for exemplary conduct and honorable service during a period of three years continuous service or for a one- year period of service during at time of war. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility which is included at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the applicant’s military records, no other additional award entitlements were verified. The cumulative time the applicant served in the Regular Air Force and Naval Reserve meets the three year criteria, however, time in a sister service is not creditable toward the three years criteria for the AFGCM. The applicant marred his reputation of good conduct by failing to comply with military standards of the time and was quickly discharged thereafter. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The criteria for the AFGCM states “The medal is to be awarded to Air Force enlisted personnel during a three year period of active military service OR for a one-year period of service during a time of war. Airman awarded this medal must have had character and efficiency ratings of excellent or higher throughout the qualifying period including time spent in attendance at service schools. There must have been no convictions of court-martial during this period.” The Air Force evaluation fails to recognize the alternative criteria of serving for a period of one year war-time service (Vietnam), for which he qualifies. In addition, he strongly objects to the advisory’s assertion that he “marred his reputation” by informing his commander he was bi-sexual. If the ban on gay and bi-sexual men had not been in place, he would have retired from the Air Force (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, we believe a preponderance of the evidence supports corrective action. We note the comments of AFPC/DPSIDR relative to the applicant not meeting the three-year criteria for award of the AFGCM; however, we believe the applicant meets the alternative criteria which requires at least one-year of honorable service during wartime. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected as indicate below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the applicant be corrected to show that on 10 November 1971 he was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-04256 in Executive Session on 31 Oct 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Oct 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 18 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 12. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, 17 Feb 12.