RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03100 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following: 1. The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) (Administratively Resolved). 2. The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He just discovered the error when he attempted to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars and noticed the medals were missing from his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. He had boots on the ground in Saudi Arabia in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 9 Dec 93. According to the applicant’s Enlisted Performance Reports (EPR), dated 9 Aug 95 thru 8 Aug 96 and 9 Aug 97 thru 1 Mar 98, he was deployed in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH; however, the specific dates could not be verified. On 8 Oct 98, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 4 years and 10 months of active service. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP reviewed the applicant’s records and verified that while stationed at Howard AFB, Panama, the applicant did deploy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; however, the applicant’s records did not indicate the dates or duration of the deployment. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the SWASM, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The SWASM, authorized by Executive Order 12754, 12 Mar 91, and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM between the period of 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95 who were deployed in certain qualifying locations in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), including Saudi Arabia, who directly supported combat operations between 17 Jan 91 and 30 Nov 95. Because the applicant’s deployment to Saudi Arabia was in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, his deployment must have been after the qualifying period for the SWASM noted above. Official documentation reflecting that the applicant was deployed in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM between 2 Aug 90 and 30 Nov 95 and met the criteria for award of the SWASM could not be located; therefore, award of the SWASM cannot be verified. AFPC/DPAPP verified the applicant was deployed to Saudi Arabia, but could not determine the exact amount of time of the deployment. The inclusive period for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH was from 1 Dec 95 to 18 Mar 03. The SWASM was not authorized for participation in this operation; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is the authorized award for deployment in direct support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. However, while it has been verified that the applicant deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, the deployment dates could not be verified; consequently, award of the AFEM cannot be verified. If the Board determines that the applicant was in Saudi Arabia for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days, the applicant’s record should be corrected to reflect award of the AFEM. Notwithstanding the above, the applicant’s eligibility for the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) and Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Long Tour (AFOR-LT) were verified and his records will be corrected administratively. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant indicates that he was successful in finding documentation related to his deployment to Saudi Arabia and provides a copy of Special Order TE-100 that reflects that he was ordered to deploy in support of Operation DESERT STORM for 91 days (Exhibit F). THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 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 SWASM. 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/DPSIDR and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice with respect to the SWASM. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s entitlement to the AFEM. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided a copy of his travel orders for participation in support of Operation DESERT STORM for a period of 91 days. While the orders alone are not conclusive proof that the applicant was deployed to the AOR for more than 30 consecutive days, in view of the fact that two of the applicant’s Enlisted Performance Reports (EPR) indicate that he deployed in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH during the award inclusive dates, we believe the evidence is sufficient to conclude the applicant served in the AOR for at least 30 days, thus qualifying him for award of the AFEM. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant’s eligibility for the NDSM and the AFOR-LT, and will correct his records administratively. Therefore, in view of the above, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 8 October 1998, release from active duty, be amended to include the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03100 in Executive Session on 22 Apr 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Jul 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 19 Nov 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Feb 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Feb 15. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 1 Mar 15, w/atchs.