RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-02714

XXX X. XXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Amend his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTION

He was awarded the AFEM for service in Saudi Arabia in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in 2002, but this was not annotated on his DD Form 214.  He provided special order TE-0543 showing that he was ordered to deploy to Saudi Arabia for 90 days to participate in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force staff sergeant (E-5).

For the reporting period of 13 Jul 01 through 12 Jul 02, according to the applicant’s AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AF thru TSgt), he deployed to the 12th Expeditionary Intelligence Squadron in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

On 15 May 05, the applicant was issued a DD Form 214 which reflected 3 months of foreign service in Block 12(b).   

On 10 Sep 19, the AFPC Recognition Team notified the applicant that it could not administratively correct his record since it was unable verify award of the AFEM (see Exhibit C). 

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, 10 Jun 19, paragraph A14.5, states the AFEM was awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who, after 1 Jul 58, participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.  The Joint Chiefs of Staff designates operations that qualify for the AFEM, specifies the degree of participation required, and defines the area of operations.  Specifically, members who served in Southwest Asia from 1 Dec 95-18 Mar 03 in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH are eligible if they were bona fide members of a unit participating in or engaged in the direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of operations (see Exhibit G). 

AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application due to insufficient documentation verifying eligibility of the AFEM.   

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 2 Jun 20 for comment (see Exhibit E).  The applicant replied on the same day and provided another copy of special order TE-0543, as well as flight and travel information, and a picture of the squadron coin awarded by his commander during the deployment.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F.

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 the victim of an error or injustice.  While the Board notes the recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP against correcting the record, the Board finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  In this regard, the Board finds the applicant’s Jul 02 Enlisted Performance Report reflects he deployed in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH which corresponds to the applicant-provided 90-day deployment orders and the 90 days of foreign service on his DD Form 214.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 15 May 2005 discharge, be amended in Block 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized (All Periods of Service) to reflect the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  

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-2017-02714 in Executive Session on 18 Nov 20:

Mr. Panel Chair 
Mr. Panel Member
Mr. Panel Member

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

Exhibit A: Applications, DD Forms 149, w/atch, dated 15 May 17 and 23 May 18.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Memorandum, AFPC Recognition Team, dated 10 Sep 19.
Exhibit D:	Advisory, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 30 May 20.
Exhibit E: Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, w/atch, dated 2 Jun 20.
Exhibit F: Applicant Response, w/atch, dated 2 Jun 20.
Exhibit G: Applicable Authority (AFM 36-2806 extract).

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.