RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-04337

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His record be corrected to reflect award of the Combat Readiness Medal (CRM).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His service in three Combat Communication Groups (MOB Units), to include one year in Vietnam, qualify him for receipt of the CRM. 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

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

According to the Air Force Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSgt), for the reporting period 4 Aug 70 to 3 Aug 71, the applicant was assigned to Detachment 11, 619th Tactical Control Squadron, Hon Tre Island, Republic of Vietnam.

According to the Air Force Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (Sgt thru TSgt), for the reporting period 2 Jun 75 to 1 Jun 76, the applicant was assigned to the 4th Combat Communications Group, Altus AFB, Oklahoma. 

According to the Air Force Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSgt), for the reporting period 2 Jun 76 to 15 Jan 77, the applicant was assigned to the 5th Combat Communications Group, Robins AFB, Georgia. 

According to the AF Forms 910 and 911, Enlisted Performance Reports (Sgt thru TSgt, and MSgt thru CMSgt), and AF Form 77, Supplemental Sheet to AF Forms (910, 911) for the reporting period 16 Jan 77 to 17 Oct 78, the applicant was assigned to the 2nd Combat Control Group, Patrick AFB, Florida. 

On 25 Oct 19, the HQ AFPC Recognition Team notified the applicant that they were unable to verify award of the CRM.  They requested the applicant provide documentation that he served in a combat ready position for 24 months of sustained combat or readiness with no more than a 120-calendar day break and that he was awarded or recommended for the CRM by his assigned based (Exhibit C).

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

Air Force Manual 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, 10 Jun 19, states the CRM is awarded to regular Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and members of the other Military Services, after 1 Aug 60, for sustained individual combat mission readiness or preparedness for direct weapon-system employment. Eligibility criteria, on or before 17 Apr 18, includes:

1)	Be a member of a unit subject to combat readiness reporting, 

2)	Be individually certified as combat and/or mission ready and has been subject to a continuous individual positional evaluation program, according to a MAJCOM or higher headquarters standards, and

3)	Complete 24 months of sustained combat and or mission readiness with no more than a 120 calendar-day break. If the break in combat or mission ready status exceeds 120 calendar days due to reassignment to another combat or mission duty that requires upgrading in or retraining to a new system, only the enroute and retraining time is deducted from qualifying service.  

See Exhibit D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

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

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 2 Jun 20 for comment (Exhibit F), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was not 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. Furthermore, after reviewing the applicable authority the Board finds that the applicant was not in a combat position that would qualify for the CRM. The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years of discovering the alleged error or injustice, as required by Section 1552 of Title 10, United States Code, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  While the applicant asserts a date of discovery within the three-year limit, the Board does not find the assertion supported by a preponderance of the evidence.  The Board does not find it in the interest of justice to waive the three-year filing requirement.  Therefore, the Board finds the application untimely and recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; 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-2017-04337 in Executive Session on 18 Nov 20:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 27 Sep 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Memorandum, AFPC Recognition Team, dated 25 Oct 19.
Exhibit D:	Applicable Authority, AFMAN 36-2806, dated 10 Jun 19.
Exhibit E:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 30 May 20.
Exhibit F: Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 2 Jun 20.

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.