RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-02352

XXXXXXX X. XXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive an additional 10 percent added to his retirement pay.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His awarded airman’s medal appears to have been overlooked when he retired from active duty.  His last duty station was overseas but he separated stateside, causing his retirement process to be mishandled.  As a result, he is not receiving his entitlement to the 10 percent increase to his retired pay.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a retired Air Force senior master sergeant (E-8).  

On 30 June 1977, the applicant was awarded the Airman’s Medal for heroism.  

On 17 April 2017, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) informed the applicant that his records did not reflect the 10 percent increase in his retired pay.  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

SAF/MRBP recommends denying the application.  In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, there is an allowance for a determination of a 10 percent increase in retirement pay for enlisted recipients for award of the Airman’s Medal.  However, the 10 percent increase is not automatic and is only awarded for actions involving “extraordinary heroism” in accordance with Title 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 8991, Computation of Retired Pay.  In this case, there is a lack of information/documentation to determine or substantiate the applicant’s actions were that of "extraordinary heroism".  His citation is insufficient to support an award of 10 percent increase in retired pay.  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 4 June 2018 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay. 

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 not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of SAF/MRBP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The determination of whether actions rise to the level of ‘’extraordinary heroism’’ additional information is required.  Such as witness statement, police/emergency responder reports and/or news articles may also provide support.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

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-2017-02352 in Executive Session on 17 July 2018:

Panel Chair
Panel Member
Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 30 April 2017.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, SAF/MRBP, dated 14 May 2018.
Exhibit D:	Letter, AFBCMR to applicant, dated 4 June 2018.

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