RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-04494

	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED:  NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

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

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His enlisted performance report for the period 1 Jan 93 to 29 Jan 94 reflects his volunteer service which qualifies him for the MOVSM; therefore, he should have received recognition for his volunteer service.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a retired Air Force technical sergeant (E-6).

AF Form 909, Airman Performance Report (APR), and AF Form 77a, Supplemental Sheet to AF Form 707, 909, 910 and 475, for the period 13 Nov 75 through 13 Feb 78, reflects the applicant participated in many activities with the Boy Scouts as a troop leader and Assistant Scout Master.

AF Form 910, TSgt, SSgt and Sgt Performance Report, for the periods 14 Feb 79 to 5 Dec 79, and from 3 Feb 83 through 8 Jul 84 reflects the applicant supported and contributed to the advancement of the Boy Scout Program by serving as a troop leader and Assistant Scout Master.

AF Form 910 for the period 21 Mar 85 through 14 Sep 86 reflects the applicant enhanced the image of the Air Force by volunteering as a Boy Scout leader and Assistant Scout Master.

The Air Force Commendation Medal citation for the period 7 Apr 90 to 1 Oct 93, reflects the applicant served as a Unit Commissioner and Assistant Scout Master for the local council of Boy Scouts of America, recognized for 20 years of service to the Boy Scouts and was selected to serve on the staff at the Boy Scout National Jamboree of 1993.

AF Form 910 for the period 20 Jan 90 through 29 Jan 94 reflects the applicant served as an Assistant Boy Scout Master, Scout Master, and Unit Commissioner, received a 20-year veterans’ award, served on the national staff at the 1993 Boy Scout National Jamboree, planned activities for over 35,000 attendees, and raised over $4,000 for the National Scouting Museum.

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 indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  DoD 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards Program states “The overall level of volunteer participation and impact of an individual’s community service is key to determining whether award of the MOVSM is justified.  Although sustained community service is not defined by a specific time period or number of volunteer hours (e.g. 36 months encompassing 500 hours of direct volunteer service), approval authorities will ensure the service to be honored merits the special recognition afforded by this medal.”  In addition, DoD 1348.33 states “Award is not authorized for:  Merely attending membership meetings or social events of a community service group or organization, as this does not constitute significant and direct community service; Community service performed while deployed to a combat theater; Service that is detailed or tasked, or performed as part of a military mission (e.g., unit project; command sponsored project) as this service is not voluntarily in nature or is part of the command’s mission.”

Based on the applicant’s documentation, only one portion of the volunteer service he performed would be considered for award of the MOVSM; however, since he did not provide the specific amount of time he served with 1993 Boy Scout National Jamboree it appears it does not qualify for award of the MOVSM.  Furthermore, while DoD 1348.33 does not specify a specific amount of time for award of the MOVSM, it does state, “the MOVSM recognizes service provided to a community over time.  A single act or achievement does not constitute sustained community service.  

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 27 Apr 20 for comment (Exhibit D), 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 and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  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-2017-04494 in Executive Session on 1 Jul 20:

, Chair, AFBCMR 
, 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 6 Oct 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 21 Apr 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 27 Apr 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.