RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-02354
			COUNSEL:  NONE
			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is entitled to the contested award due to deployments to 
Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Wind, Desert Fox and a 
deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring 
Freedom.

The applicant provides no additional documentation in support of 
his appeal.

The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 15 March 2007, the applicant was honorably discharged under 
the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Completion of Required Service) 
in the grade of staff sergeant.  He served 12 years, 9 months 
and 1 day on active duty and was credited with 4 years and 
21 days of foreign service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the SWASM.  DPSID states the 
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) verified the 
applicant received Hostile Fire/Imminent Danger Pay for 
deployments to Saudi Arabia from 21 February 1998 to 20 April 
1998 and again from 4 November 1999 to 4 December 1999.






The applicant’s Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) ending 
14 February 1999 indicated the applicant served in support of 
Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.  This EPR includes both of the 
deployments to Saudi Arabia as verified by DFAS.  Therefore, the 
applicant meets the criteria for the AFEM for his direct support 
of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, for both deployments.  However, IAW 
DoDM 1348.33 volume 2, subsequent deployments to the same 
operation do not qualify for an addition to the AFEM.

AF Force Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, in the 
applicant’s records indicates he was awarded the Afghanistan 
Campaign Medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon 
with Gold Border while deployed with the 455th Expeditionary 
Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Bagram, Afghanistan, in direct 
support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. 

After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military 
personnel records, they were able to verify award of the AFEM 
and the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border.

They were unable to locate official documentation in the 
applicant’s official military personnel record verifying the 
applicant was in the area of eligibility for Operations DESERT 
SHIELD/DESERT STORM prior to the end of the eligibility period 
on 30 November 1995; therefore, rendering the applicant 
ineligible for award of the SWASM.

Based on their review of the applicant’s records, they were able 
to determine the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze 
Oak Leaf Clusters, AFEM, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one 
Bronze Service Star, and Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon 
with Gold Border – should have been awarded during the 
applicant’s service from 15 June 1994 and 15 March 2007 and were 
not reflected in his records.  Upon final board decision, 
administrative correction of the applicant’s official military 
personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR

The DPSID complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 5 August 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and response 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 error or injustice.  The 
applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, after reviewing 
the evidence of record, we agree with the opinion and 
recommendations of the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to 
substantiate his entitlement to the SWASM.  Therefore, other 
than the administrative correction cited above, 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 an 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-2013-02354 in Executive Session on 6 February 2014, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:


The following documentary evidence was considered:

  Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 May 2013.
  Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Available Master Personnel Record.
  Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 1 July 2013.
  Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 August 2013.





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