RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00533

			COUNSEL:  NONE

			HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the following awards:

1.  Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM).

2.  Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) (administratively 
resolved).

3.  Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) (administratively 
resolved). 


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He qualified for the AFCAM during a deployment to Iraq, as 
evidenced by his combat tactical mechanic and technician of the 
month certificate, letter of evaluation during the period in 
question, and a recommendation for the Army Commendation Medal 
(ARCOM).

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 
26 Mar 02.

On 25 Mar 06, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge 
and was credited with four years of active service. 

On 25 May 14, AFPC/DPSID administratively corrected the 
applicant’s records to reflect he was awarded the AFGCM and the 
AFLSA.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 will be amended.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial for award of the AFCAM indicating 
there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  The AFCAM is 
restricted to members who, on or after 11 Sep 01, deliberately 
go into the enemy’s domain to conduct official duties, either on 
the ground or in the air, and have come under enemy fire by 
lethal weapons while performing those duties, and are at risk of 
grave danger; or while defending the base must have come under 
fire and engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire, and are 
at risk of grave danger, or are personnel in ground operations 
who actively engage the enemy with direct and lethal fire may 
qualify even if no direct fire is taken, as long as there was 
risk of grave danger and their activities meets other criteria.  
However, the applicant has not provided any documentation to 
support an error or injustice exists nor was there any 
documentation in his official military personnel record 
substantiating his claim.  In order for the applicant’s request 
to be reasonably considered he will need to provide a detailed 
account of the circumstances (date, time, location, event 
description, other members present, etc.), preferably by someone 
with firsthand knowledge of the incident.  The account must 
contain details on how the applicant was in grave danger (enemy 
action, fragmentation zone, type of enemy fire, blast radius, 
mounted/dismounted, proximity to weapons fire, where rounds 
impacted, damage to equipment or vehicles, injuries sustained by 
the occupants in the vehicle or surrounding area, etc.).

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 25 Jul 14 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.


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 warranting 
correction of the applicant’s records to reflect his entitlement 
to the AFCAM.  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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the 
basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim 
of an error of injustice.  We note the Air Force OPR has 
determined the applicant’s eligibility for the AFGCM and the 
AFLSA and will correct his records administratively.  Therefore, 
in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively.


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-2014-00533 in Executive Session on 18 Dec 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Feb 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 27 May 14.
    	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Jul 14.