RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04167

					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following Air Force medals:

1.  Air Force Combat Readiness Medal (AFCRM).

2.  Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) (Administratively resolved).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

While assigned at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, he trained in war-games to prepare for deployment and maintain mission-ready unit subject to combat readiness.  

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 12 Nov 82.

From 10 April 90 to 1 Nov 90, the applicant deployed in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM.

From 10 Aug 90 to 15 Mar 91, according to documentation provided by the applicant he was deployed with the 363rd Air Transportable Hospital in the Arabian Gulf.

On 1 Nov 92, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 9 years, 11 months, and 20 days of active service, including 11 months and 9 days of foreign service.   

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 warranting award of the AFCRM.  The AFCRM is awarded for periods of qualifying service in combat or mission ready status for direct weapons system employment.  Individuals must have completed basic and initial training, and be formally certified as combat and mission ready in the command or unit operational combat mission.  Additionally, the individual must have completed 24 months of sustained combat or mission readiness with no more than a 120-calendar day break.  There is no official documentation in the applicant’s records verifying he served in a combat ready position for 24 months and was awarded or recommended for the AFCRM by his assigned base.  The applicant’s base/major command is responsible for verification of assigned members being considered combat ready.    Notwithstanding the above, they were able to determine the applicant’s entitlement to the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons not reflected in his records:

1. Southwest Asia Medal with two Bronze Service Stars (SWSM w/2BSS).

2. Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).

3. Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait (KLM-K).

4. Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA).  

Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR.

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 Feb 15 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 with respect to the applicant’s request for the Air Force Combat Readiness Medal (AFCRM).  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 verified the applicant’s entitlement to the Southwest Asia Medal with two Bronze Service Stars (SWSM w/2BSS), Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM), Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait (KLM-K), Kuwait Liberation Medal-Saudi Arabia (KLM-SA), and will correct his records administratively.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting any 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-2014-04167 in Executive Session on 16 Jun 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	



The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04167 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Sep 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 12 Dec 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Feb 15.