RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01294

			COUNSEL:  NONE

			HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be awarded the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM)


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was never awarded the AFSM for her support of Operation JOINT FORGE.  A review of her Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) during that time period reflects her support of this operation.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of technical sergeant (E-6).

The applicant’s EPR for the period covering 29 Sep 98 through 31 Mar 99, states “Key member of Cargo Deployment Load Team-coordinated the organization and movement of over 200 personnel and 86.6 short tons of equipment in support of Operation JOINT FORGE - super effort.”   

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 indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The AFSM is awarded for direct support of Operation JOINT FORGE between 21 Jun 98 and 2 Dec 04.  The qualifying area of eligibility is the total land or air space of Slovenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, or Hungary.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s military personnel record, the OPR was unable to verify that the applicant actually deployed to the Operation JOINT FORGE area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days to qualify for award of the AFSM.  The Defense Finance and Accounting Service did not show the applicant as having any foreign service between June 1998 and March 1999.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or War Department.

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 4 Aug 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.  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.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no 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-2014-01294 in Executive Session on 28 Jan 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 26 Mar 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 2 Jun 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Aug 14.