RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-05391

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NOT INDICATED

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Force of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect he was awarded 
the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

These awards were not included on his DD Form 214.

In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of 
documents extracted from his military personnel records.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
served on active duty from 3 Oct 68 to 2 Oct 72.  
On 13 Dec 12, APFC/DPAPP notified the applicant that his boots- 
on-ground service in Vietnam had been verified and that his 
foreign service is accurately reflected on his DD Form 214.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the 
SAEMR indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  
The SAEMR is awarded to all Air Force service members who after, 
1 Jan 63, qualified as “expert” in small arms marksmanship with 
either the M-16 rifle or issued handgun.  Qualification as an 
“expert” with both weapons after 22 Jun 72 is denoted by a 
bronze service star worn on the service ribbon.  However, the 
applicant’s records did not contain an AF Form 522, USAF Ground 
Weapons Training Data, showing the applicant qualified as an 
expert with the M-16 or a handgun.  The applicant did not 
provide any documentation to substantiate his entitlement to the 
SAEMR.  The applicant’s entitlement to the Air Force Outstanding 
Unit Award with Valor (AFOUA w/V), Air Force Longevity Service 
Award (AFLSA), Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM), the Vietnam Service 
Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS), and Republic 
of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) were verified 
and his record will administratively corrected to reflect these 
awards.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID 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 24 Feb 13, for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.

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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.  After a 
thorough review of the applicant’s submission and the evidence 
of record we found no evidence to verify the applicant qualified 
as expert for the SAEMR with either the M-16 or handgun, and 
therefore, does not meet the prerequisite criteria for 
entitlement to the SAEMR.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion 
and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility and adopt its rationale that relief beyond that 
already granted administratively is not warranted.  However, 
should the applicant provide additional documentation showing he 
meets the criteria for award of the SAEMR, such as a copy of his 
AF Form 522, Weapons Qualification Card, we would be willing to 
review his request for possible reconsideration.  Therefore, in 
view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the 
contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief 
sought in this application.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-05391 in Executive Session on 10 Sep 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, undated, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 11 Feb 13.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Feb 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair