UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-04206
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING:  NOT INDICATED
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, dated 6 Sep 08, be corrected to reflect award of the Air Medal (AM).
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her awards and decorations office did not complete the decoration when she originally submitted it.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant was discharged from the Air Force as a staff sergeant.

According to the applicant’s USCENTAF Form 1, Air Medal (AM) and Aerial Achievement Medal (AAM) Mission Information – Justification Sheet, the applicant few missions from 30 Aug 07 to 16 Dec 07, accumulating 300 points. For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPTS recommends denying the application indicating the applicant has not exhausted all administrative remedies prior to submitting her application. The applicant should complete the AF Form 3994, Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operation, to include a narrative of events with endorsements, and include all other supporting documents to the approval authority at USAFCENT/UDPU. Once the Air Medal is added to the applicant’s record, her DD Form 214 will be updated.  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 Jan 18 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 2 Feb 18. In her response, the applicant contended she has included documents for the justification of the Air Medal while downrange in 2007. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1.	The application was not timely filed.

2.	The applicant did not exhaust all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY – PRIVACY ACT OF 1974

3.	The applicant’s failure to exhaust all available remedies renders any potential action by the Board premature. In particular, the applicant should follow the guidance noted by ARPC/DPTS in their AF evaluation. Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s record at this time.

4.	The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed all available avenues of administrative relief have not been exhausted, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of documentary evidence indicating that such avenues of administrative relief have been exhausted.
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-2017-04206 in Executive Session on 26 Jul 18:

All members voted not to correct the record. The panel considered the following: Exhibit A: Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 9 Aug 17.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records. Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, ARPC/DPTS, dated 28 Nov 17.
Exhibit D: Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 4 Jan 18. Exhibit E:  Applicant’s response, dated 2 Feb 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.

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