RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-02081

DAVID G. PREWITT	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty be corrected to reflect award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 is missing his MSM that was awarded to him upon retirement.  The applicant recently discovered the error when he applied for a benefit related to receipt of a MSM that was denied.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a retired Air Force master sergeant.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  The applicant’s official military personnel record is missing to review and validate any information.  A Special Order or the citation, which is the official source documentation for award of a decoration, is required to correct the applicant’s record.  In the event the Special Order is not available, a copy of the signed certificate and citation for a Special Order to be accomplished so the record can be corrected.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 3 Jul 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

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

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is the victim of an error and injustice.  While the Board notes the comments of AFPC/DP3SP indicating that relief should not be granted, the Board believes a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  In particular, the Board finds it more likely than not that the signed certificate provided by the applicant is valid.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as 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 the Meritorious Service Medal dated 19 August 1994 be included on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, dated 30 September 1994.

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-2017-02081 in Executive Session on 30 Aug 18:

Ms. Marcia J. Bachman, Panel Chair 
Mr. Ricky E. Bennett, Panel Member
Ms. Sara V. Keller, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 17 Apr 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 22 Jan 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 3 Jul 18.

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