RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-00450

XXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO 

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued 8 May 17, be amended as follows:

a. Item 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, to reflect the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).

  b.	Item 14, Military Education, to reflect his Basic Military Training completion date as Feb 16 (Administratively corrected).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His DD Form 214 does not reflect his SAEMR and his Basic Military Training completion date is incorrect.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former Air Force airman first class (E-3).

On 8 May 17, according to the DD Form 214, the applicant was released from active duty. He was credited with 9 months and 13 days of active duty service.

On 26 Oct 19, the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) Recognition Team notified the applicant they were unable to verify award of the SAEMR and requested he provide source documents such as a special order, AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, or AF Form 522, Grounds Weapons Training Data and USAF Firearms Qualification.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program. The SAEMR is awarded to Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members, who, after 1 Jan 63, qualify as “Expert” with either the M-16 rifle (to include the M-4 and GAU-5) or an issued handgun on the Air Force qualification course, an appropriate orientation course prescribed in other Air Force Instructions, other Military Services’ qualification course, or who satisfactorily complete the Combat Rifle Program. Members who, after 22 Jun 72, qualify as “Expert” with both the M-16 rifle (or M-4 or GAU-5) and an issued handgun, wear a bronze service star on the ribbon. AF Form 522 or a letter from the small arms marksmanship monitor is used as the source documentation for this award. Members who qualify as “Expert” provide a copy of the AF Form 522 or letter to the manpower and personnel flight for update in the member’s personnel records.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying award of the SAEMR. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record and provided documentation, they were unable to verify award of the SAEMR. On 26 Oct 19, correspondence was sent to the applicant requesting additional documentation to possibly administratively correct the record; however, a response has not been received.

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 28 Oct 21 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

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 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. Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, 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-2019-00450 in Executive Session on 17 Mar 22:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, dated 16 Jan 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 5 Oct 21.
	Exhibit D: Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 28 Oct 21.

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.