RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-03017

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR) be added to his record.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

“I received this honor and was given a ribbon, but it was lost.”

STATEMENT OF FACTS

On 26 Mar 71, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of sergeant (E-4).  

On 15 Jun 17, the applicant submitted a DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Record, requesting consideration for award of the SAEMR (Exhibit A).

On 28 Dec 18, the AFBCMR staff notified the applicant his request for the SAEMR was forwarded to AFPC for review and/or corrective action.  Based on foregoing, the applicant’s case was closed. The applicant was also notified that if AFPC was unable to resolve his request for the SAEMR, his AFBCMR application would be resubmitted to the AFBCMR by AFPC (Exhibit C).

On 2 Oct 21, the Board received an AFPC/DP3SP advisory opinion.  In view of the applicant’s original contention and concerns expressed in his 15 Jun 17 application, the AFBCMR staff reopened his case in order for the Board to consider the award of the SAEMR (Exhibit D).

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

Per Air Force Manual 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, the SAEMR is awarded to regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members, who, after 1 Jan 63, qualify as “Expert” with either the M-16 rifle (to include the M-4 and GAU-5) or an issued handgun on the Air Force qualification course, an appropriate orientation course prescribed in other Air Force Instructions, other Military Services’ qualification course, or who satisfactorily complete the Combat Rifle Program.  Members who, after 22 Jun 72, qualify as “Expert” with both the M-16 rifle (or M-4 or GAU-5) and an issued handgun, wear a bronze service star on the ribbon.  AF Form 522, Ground Weapons Training Data and USAF Firearms Qualification, or a letter from the small arms marksmanship monitor is used as the source documentation for this award.  Members who qualify as “Expert” provides a copy of the AF Form 522 or letter to the manpower and personnel flight for update in the member’s personnel records. 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  There was no supporting documentation located within the applicant’s official military personnel record, such as the AF Form 522, indicating the applicant qualified as “Expert” with either the M-16 rifle (to include the M-4 and GAU-5) or an issued handgun.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by AFI 36-2654, Combat Arms Program and AFMAN 36-2806.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 26 Oct 21, for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not support the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-03017 in Executive Session on 6 Apr 22:

, Chair, AFBCMR
, Panel Member
, Panel Member
All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A: Application, DD Form 149, no atchs, dated 15 Jun 17.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  Letter, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 28 Dec 18.
Exhibit D:  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 2 Oct 21. 
Exhibit E:  Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 26 Oct 21.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.