RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-03786

XXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) with inclusive dates 8 Sep 14 to 8 Sep 17 be upgraded to the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). 

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He believes that his performance during the award period was among the best in the wing and deserved a higher-level medal [sic].  He further states in a memorandum to the Board, that his squadron and group leadership believed his performance warranted a MSM, but for some reason the XX Air Wing Command Chief nonconcurred and without any feedback, his decoration was downgraded.  His performance reports and the support of his leadership suggests that he was a top performer, which justify award of the higher-level medal.  

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides several character reference letters, a printout of the decoration application and coordination process, copies of the submitted MSM and his current AFCM, and a copy of his Enlisted Performance Reports (EPR) covering the inclusive dates of the decoration.  Finally, in response to AFPC/DP1SSP request for additional information to potentially correct the record, the applicant provides additional letters from his chain of command and a draft of the signed MSM citation.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a Regular Air Force master sergeant (E-7).   

For period of report 1 Dec 14 through 30 Sep 15, the applicant’s EPR, lists his duty title as the CSS Section Chief for the XXth Medical Squadron.  The applicant’s overall performance assessment was given the highest rating, “exceed most, if not all expectations.” 

For period of report 1 Oct 15 through 30 Sep 16, the applicant’s EPR, lists his duty as the Medical Support Services Flight Chief for the XXth Medical Squadron.  The applicant’s overall performance assessment indicates the highest possible rating of “exceed most, if not all expectations.”

For period of report 1 Oct 16 through 30 Sep 17, the applicant’s EPR lists his duty title as the Group Training Manager for the XXth Medical Squadron with duties at XXth Medical Group.  The applicant’s overall performance assessment indicates the highest possible rating of “exceed most, if not all expectations.”

On 19 Jun 17, an “Awards and Decoration Application,” provided by the applicant, indicates he was nominated for the MSM.   At the time the application was submitted, the applicant’s duty title for the award showed “Group Training Manager.”  On 30 Sep 17, the decoration was returned by a member of his chain of command who stated that he “did not lead the Group Training Program and he was not a Group Training Manager for the period.  He covered for a few months at most…recommend reworking this or downgrading to an AF COMM.”  The application continued to be routed back and forth through his chain of command and on 5 Jul 18 the application was returned with comments that stated, “Please resubmit as AFCOM.”  

On 1 Aug 18, the applicant was awarded the AFCOM medal for meritorious service as the “Group Training Manager” with period of award dates 8 Sep 14 to 8 Sep 17.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY
AFI 36-2803, Air Force Awards and Decoration Program: 
Paragraph 1.15.5. Each decoration prescribes standards which define the degree and magnitude of an act, achievement, or service considered worthy for awarding that particular decoration. Do not base award of a specific decoration upon a member’s grade, but on the member’s level of responsibility, achievements, accomplishments, and manner of performance.
Paragraph 1.15.6. No member is automatically entitled to a decoration upon PCS, permanent change of assignment (PCA), retirement, separation, completion of a TDY, or reaching/achieving other points at which a decoration may be recommended. Supervisors must decide at these points if a decoration is appropriate.
Table 3.10. Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), states that the medal is awarded for “outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or outstanding non-combat meritorious service to the United States. Normally the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required for the LOM, but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility.”  According to the note section of the table, Group CCs or Equivalents who hold the rank of (O-6) and above are authorized approval authority for the medal.  

Table 3.13. Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), states that the medal is awarded for “Meritorious achievement and service. The degree of merit must be distinctive, though it need not be unique.” 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application, stating there is unclear evidence an error or injustice occurred.  The documentation provided by the applicant appears to support his request; however, none of the signatories were approving official of the AFCM or the MSM at the time of the act/achievement period of service.  While the applicant did provide the routing process of the original decoration, which was originally submitted for an MSM, the Group Commander might have determined that the level of performance should be recognized by award of the AFCM.  In addition, the applicant has not provided a recommendation for upgrade to the MSM from an individual within his chain of command at that time, nor has he provided any new information that was not known to the recommending Commander or Approving Authority.  Accordingly, to grant the applicants’ request would circumvent the Commander’s (recommending/approving official) authority delegated by the Secretary of the Air Force.

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 13 Apr 20 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.  The Board notes that the applicant has not provided any evidence from the approval authority recommending upgrade to the Meritorious Service Medal.  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-2019-03786 in Executive Session on 20 May 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 28 Jun 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 12 Apr 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 13 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.