RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00825 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His records be corrected to show his service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 2. His records be corrected to reflect award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He deployed to Dhahran Saudi Arabia in 1991 or 1992, in support of the first Gulf War for a period of two months and was housed at the Khobar Towers. He does not have copies of his deployment orders, but if deploying to Saudi Arabia during this time frame qualifies him for the medal, it should be awarded. He was discharged before the SWASM was awarded in 1995. In support of his request, the applicant provides a letter from AFPC/DPSIDRA. The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served on active duty in the Air Force 15 Aug 85 to 15 Sep 93. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, indicates that he served from 2 Aug 90 through 15 Sep 93 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. In a letter dated 21 March 2012, DPSIDRA advised the applicant that his DD Form 214, dated 15 September 1993, states in Section 18 that he served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM and that this statement only verifies that he served on active duty during the period of these Operations, and does not verify that he was deployed to any of the areas directly involved in this conflict. AFPC/DPSID has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFLSA w/1BOLC). His DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected to include this award. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP states that the applicant’s master personnel records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate foreign service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. DPSID states after a thorough review of the applicant’s official military record, they were unable to locate any documentation verifying the applicant served in the area of eligibility (AOE) for award of the SWASM. Individuals authorized for award of the SWASM must have served in support of Operations DESERT SHEILD, DESERT STORM, PROVIDE COMFORT, or the Cease Fire Campaign in one or more of the following areas from 2 Aug 90 through 30 Nov 95: the Persian Gulf; Red Sea; Gulf of Oman; Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 19 May 13, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ 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 error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the applicant’s contention that he was deployed to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1991 or 1992; however, there is no documentary evidence to substantiate his claim. Should the applicant provide such documentation, the Board would be willing to reconsider his request. 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 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-2013-00825 in Executive Session on 7 Nov 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Feb 13, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 25 Mar 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 May 13. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 May 13. 1 2