RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03616 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her records be corrected to reflect she was awarded the Aerial Achievement Medal (AAM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She was assigned to the 820th Red Horse Unit during the time this error occurred. Due to frequent deployments, it was not uncommon for members to be absent for award presentations. She never received a copy of the Basic Aerial Achievement Medal. She assumes she received the award for a mission/deployment. The applicant submits no supporting documentation. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a member of the Air Force serving in the grade of technical sergeant. On 19 December 2002, she was awarded the Aerial Achievement Medal by Special Order G-618 for sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight from 4 January 2002 through 13 June 2002. Her record also reflects she was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal (first oak leaf cluster) with a given under my hand date of 19 December 2002. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The Aerial Achievement Medal was established by the Secretary of the Air Force on 3 February 1988 and is awarded by the Department of the Air Force to United States military and civilian personnel. It is awarded for sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The achievement must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that normally expected of professional airmen. The Air Force Achievement Medal was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 12 October 1980 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States and foreign military personnel, below the rank of colonel, after 30 September 1981, who while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by meritorious service or achievement. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel records, her entitlement to the basic Aerial Achievement Medal could not be verified. She was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal per a signed given under my hand date of 19 December 2002, for the inclusive period from 4 January 2002 through 13 June 2002. She was awarded the Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal Headquarters United Command Air Forces Special Order G-618, for inclusive period from 4 January 2002 to 13 June 2002. Due to an administrative error, the applicant and all others listed Special Order G-618 were awarded the Aerial Achievement Medal. The original approval authority, United States Air Force Central Command recognized the error and amended the order to accurately reflect the award as the Air Force Achievement Medal. Special Order G-758, dated 6 January 2003 amends Special Order G-618 as it pertains to the award of the Aerial Achievement Medal for all members on the order to read Air Force Achievement Medal. The Special Order G-758 amending the Aerial Achievement Medal to the Air Force Achievement Medal will be updated in the applicant’s official military personnel records by a separate office and a copy will be included in the applicant’s records. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 10 January 2014, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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 opinion and recommendation of AFPC/DPSID and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. While we note the applicant was erroneously awarded the Aerial Achievement Medal, we believe the administrative correction effected by the original approval authority, the United States Air Force Central Command, resolved the error by amending the order to reflect the correct medal awarded, the Air Force Achievement Medal. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ 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. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03616 in Executive Session on 1 May 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03616 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 May 13. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 12 Nov 13, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jan 14.