RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04791 XXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for his deployment to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan from 28 February 2012 to 5 September 2012. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His supporting documents clearly indicate his previous commander submitted him for the BSM. However, due to the high operations tempo and the redeployment of a personnel specialist assigned to the unit, his package was not submitted. In support of his request the applicant provides a letter of support from his former commander, AF IMT 3994, Recommendation for Decorations Deployment/Contingency Operations; BSM citation, electronic communiqués, and various other documents associated with his appeal. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Air National Guard in the grade of lieutenant colonel (O-5). According to Special Order G-16117 dated 4 February 2013, the applicant received a Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding achievement while deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan for the period 28 February 2012 to 3 September 2012. According to the AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, approval of multiple decorations for the same achievement, or period of service is considered dual recognition. Dual recognition is the acknowledgment of an act, achievement, or period of service that occurred during an award inclusive period and utilizing the same act, achievement, or period of service in a subsequent award submission. This applies to both individual decorations and unit awards, and is prohibited. According to the United States Air Force Central Command (USAFCENT) Decorations Guidebook dated 29 May 2010, the approval authority for the BSM is the Commander, USAFCENT (COMUSAFCENT). For individuals who deploy, the deployed chain of command originates and endorses the AF Form 3994 and all BSM decorations will be boarded at AFCENT. In a letter dated 24 August 2015, SAF/MRBR advised the applicant that AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, paragraph 4.7.3, requires that if an applicant has not exhausted all available effective administrative remedies, the application will be denied by the Board on that basis. SAF/MRBR invited the applicant to administratively close his case until such time that he is able to avail himself of the administrative avenues (Exhibit D). AIR FORCE EVALUATION: NGB/A1PS recommends the applicant’s request be forwarded to USAFCENT, the approval authority for the BSM, to determine if a decoration is warranted. A complete copy of the NGB/A1PS evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 17 February 2015, 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, no response has been received by this office. ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating that the applicant has not exhausted his administrative remedies. The applicant's request and supporting documentation should be submitted to USAFCENT, the BSM approval authority. If the USAFCENT decision is not favorable, the applicant may resubmit an application to the Board for consideration of the BSM. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoD Manual 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit F. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The documentation he submitted with his application clearly demonstrates that he was formally submitted for the BSM. AFPC/DPSID’s assertion that he should submit his request to the approval authority is not feasible as the commanders who recommended him are no longer on G-series orders and as a result cannot submit him for a decoration. His only option is to submit his request to the Board. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit H. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The application was timely filed. 2. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. In this respect, we note this Board is the highest administrative level of appeal within the Air Force. As such, an applicant must first exhaust all available avenues of administrative relief provided by existing law or regulations prior to seeking relief before this Board, as required by the governing Air Force Instruction. The Air Force office of primary responsibility has reviewed this application and indicated that USAFCENT, the BSM award approval authority, is an available avenue of administrative relief the applicant has not first pursued. Although the applicant’s states it is not feasible to exhaust his administrative remedies since the recommending officials are no longer on G-series orders, as noted by DPSID, the applicant should submit his request and all supporting documentation to USAFCENT for consideration. In view of the above, we find his request is not ready for adjudication at this level, as a subordinate level of appeal exists that has not first been pursued. Therefore, in view of the above, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this portion of his application. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that all available avenues of administrative relief have not been exhausted; and the application will only be reconsidered upon submission of documentary evidence indicating that said avenues of administrative relief have been exhausted. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-04791 in Executive Session on 28 October 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Panel Member Panel Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 September 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, NGB/A1PS, dated 6 December 2014. Exhibit D. Letters, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 February 2015 and 24 August 2015. Exhibit E. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 14 September 2015. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 September 2015. Exhibit G. Letter, Applicant, dated 1 October 2015.