RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05404 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was authorized and awarded the following medals: a. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). b. Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should be entitled to these awards due to his deployment to Diego Garcia during the period of September 2002 through December 2002. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s military personnel records indicate that he commenced his service in the Regular Air Force on 9 June 1999. On 8 June 2003, the applicant was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service and credited with 4 years of total active service. On 13 May 2013, AFPC/DPSID notified the applicant that they were able to determine that he should have been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S) for his service from 9 June 1999 to 8 June 2003. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM), indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The applicant does not meet the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, for these awards. However, an analysis of his records revealed that he should have been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E) and Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (AFESR) with Gold Border (GB) for his deployment to Diego Garcia in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Although the exact dates for deployment could not be verified, his AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSGT), rendered for the period 9 February 2002 through 8 February 2003, indicates he voluntarily deployed to Diego Garcia in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Additionally, located within the applicant's military personnel record is Service Medal Award Verification (AF Form 104) dated 5 August 2005, awarding the applicant the GWOT-E and the AFESR w/GB. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 19 May 2013 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for his records to reflect the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and the Armed Force Service Medal (AFSM). We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. 4.  Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with the respect to the award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E) and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (AFESR). We note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) indicating they were unable to verify the exact dates the applicant was deployed, but his records contain a performance report confirming a deployment to Diego Garcia in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Therefore, while the exact dates of the applicant’s deployment could not be confirmed, we find it reasonable to conclude the applicant served in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM during the period 9 February 2002 through 8 February 2003 and is authorized the award of the GWOT-E and AFESR w/GB. Furthermore, we note AFPC/DPSID has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOT-S) and he has been issued a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, to document the correction. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated 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 he was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E) and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (AFESR w/GB). ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-05404 in Executive Session on 20 August 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 15 November 2012. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 May 2013. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Mary 2013. Panel Chair