RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03904 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was on a Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to Prince Sultan AB, Al Kharj, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia from Feb thru Jun 1997. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) certificate dated 15 Jun 1998, for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 27 May 1987, the applicant entered active duty. On 29 Jun 2000, he was honorably discharged. He served 13 years, 2 months and 22 days on active duty. The SWASM authorized by Executive Order 12754 on 12 Mar 1991, is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM between 2 Aug 1990, and 30 Nov 1995, in one or more of the following areas: 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, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and waters) directly supporting combat operations between 17 Jan 1991, and 30 Nov 1995. The AFEM may be awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who after 1 Jul 1958: Participate, or have participated, as members of the U.S. military in a U.S. military operation in which service members of any military department participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in significant numbers, and encounter, incident to such participation, foreign armed opposition, or are otherwise placed, or have been placed, in such position that, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hostile action by foreign armed forces was imminent even though it did not materialize. Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that participated in or engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in a designated area of eligibility in a foreign territory (or the full period when an operation is less than 30 days duration) or for 60 non-consecutive days provided the support involved entering the area of eligibility. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial. The applicant served in Saudi Arabia after the close out date for the SWASM, rendering him ineligible for the award. The applicant received the AFEM which properly recognizes his service in Saudi Arabia in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DODM 1348-33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards. Based on a review of the applicant’s military personnel records, DPSID was able to determine the applicant should have been awarded the AFEM and the Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM). Upon the Board’s final decision, DPSID will administratively correct the applicant’s records to reflect these awards. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 6 Dec 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 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 as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, aside from the administrative corrections awarding the AFEM and the KDSM, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 4. The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue involved. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 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- 2013-03094 in Executive Session on 17 Jun 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentation was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Aug 2013, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, 12 Nov 2013, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Dec 2013. Panel Chair 1