RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-05069 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The following ribbons be included on his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty: The Air Force Training Ribbon. (Will Be Administratively Corrected) The Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Professional Military Education (PME) Graduate Ribbon. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He graduated from NCO PME school and should be awarded the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon. In support of his request the applicant provides a copy of his NCO Orientation Course diploma dated 28 July l978. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 18 July 1975, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. On 17 July 1979, the applicant was honorably discharged, and was credited with four years of active service. The NCO PME Graduate Ribbon is awarded to graduates of the following certified NCO PME schools (NCO Preparatory Course, Airman Leadership School, NCO Leadership School, NCO Academy, Senior NCO Academy). AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The NCO PME Graduate Ribbon was established on 28 August 1962, and awarded to in- residence graduates of the following certified NCO PME schools: NCO Preparatory Course, Airman Leadership School, NCO Leadership School, NCO Academy (NCOA), Senior NCOA (or in-residence graduates of the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy, the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, United States Marine Corps Advanced Staff NCOA, and the United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy), Chief's Leadership Course (effective 16 July 2010, retroactively for all in-residence graduates). The NCO PME Graduate Ribbon is not awarded to members who only complete PME correspondence courses or similar PME correspondence courses conducted by other military services. Moreover, the ribbon is not awarded for completion of local (base or unit offered) professional development seminars, courses or classes. The NCO Orientation Course listed on the applicant's Certificate of Training is not an authorized NCO PME course for award of the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon. 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. DPSID was able to verify the applicant's entitlement to the Air Force Training Ribbon and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. Upon the final Board decision, administrative correction of the applicant's official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR. A complete copy of the DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The NCO Orientation Course does fulfill the requirements for the award of the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon. The class was conducted by an Air Force member and qualified instructor. In April 1978, the Air Force added the NCO Orientation Course and USAF Supervisors Course as the first two phases or levels of enlisted PME. NCO Leadership School was the third phase, the NCOA the fourth phase, and the Senior NCOA, the fifth and final phase in the enlisted PME system. At the time he graduated, the NCO Orientation course was recognized as the first phase of the five phases in the PME course system. In further support of his requests, the applicant provides congratulatory letters. His complete response, with attachments is at Exhibit E. 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 error or injustice to warrant NCO awarding the NCO PME Graduate Ribbon. While the applicant’s comments in response to the Air Force evaluation are noted, we do not find his assertions sufficiently persuasive to override the rational provided by the Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR). Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. 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-2014-05069 in Executive Session on 1 September 2015, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-05069 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 December 2014, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 18 April 2015, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 June 2015. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs. 1 2