RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03377 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to show award of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The AFSM is not reflected on his DD Form 214. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) citation. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 7 Sep 1976, the applicant entered active duty. On 30 Sep 1996, he was retired. The applicant served 20 years and 24 days on active duty. The AFSM, authorized by Executive Order 12985, 11 Jan 1996, is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the U.S. who, after 1 Jun 1992: (1) participate, or have participated, as members of U.S. military units, in a U.S. military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity by the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and (2) encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) was established on 4 Dec 1961, to be awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, after 1 Jul 1958, participated in a United States military operation and encountered foreign armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign Armed Forces. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. After a thorough review of the applicant’s military personnel records, DPSID was unable to verify the applicant served in the area of eligibility for award of the AFSM. The AFSM for Operation PROVIDE PROMISE is awarded for providing support for Yugoslavia in an area encompassing the total land and air space of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Italy; the waters and air space above that portion of the Adriatic Sea that lies north of 40 degrees north latitude, from 1 Jun 1992 to 20 Dec 1995. The AFSM was not awarded for Operation RESTORE HOPE; however, the AFEM for Operation RESTORE Hope is awarded for the period from 5 Dec 1992 to 31 Mar 1995, with an area of operation encompassing the total land area and air space of Somalia, that portion of Kenyan land area and air space east of 38 degrees east longitude, the Gulf of Aden, and that portion of the Indian Ocean north of five degrees south latitude and west 55 degrees east longitude. Since there is no evidence the applicant served in the area of eligibility for award of the AFSM or AFEM, DPSID recommends the applicant’s request be denied. To grant the applicant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by the Department of Defense (DOD) Manual 1348.33, Manual for Military Decorations and Awards. Upon the Board’s final decision, the applicant’s records will be administratively corrected to reflect award of the Air Force Longevity Service Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFLSA w/4BOLC). The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 31 Oct 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has not received a 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 an error or injustice. 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 that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, other than the administrative correction awarding the AFLSA w/4BOLC, 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03377 in Executive Session on 6 May 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 Jul 2013, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Sep 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Oct 2013. 1 2