RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-03851

XXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: XXXXXX
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

The inclusive dates for the Meritorious Service Medal she was awarded under Special Order XXXXXX be amended to read 29 Jun 15 to 28 Sep 18.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The Meritorious Service Medal is in error as it does not reflect the actual inclusive dates she was assigned to the unit. The inclusive dates should read 29 Jun 15 to 28 Sep 18, rather than 29 Jun 15 to 31 Oct 18.  She was not aware the inclusive dates were wrong because she did not receive the actual decoration until 14 Dec 18, which was after the 30 Sep 18, Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD).  This error significantly impacted her consideration for the senior master sergeant (E-8) 2019 promotion board as the decoration was not included in the board folder. 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air Force senior master sergeant.

On 29 Jun 15, according to the Military Personnel Data System (MILPDS), the applicant’s duty history shows she was assigned to her losing unit.

On 28 Sep 18, according to AF Form 330, Records Transmittal Request, provided by the applicant, she out-processed her losing unit.

On 2 Oct 18, according MILPDS, the applicant in-processed at her gaining unit.

On 2 Nov 18, according to Special Order XXXXXX, the applicant was issued a Meritorious Service Medal for the period 29 Jun 15 to 31 Oct 18.  

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

Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program.  Inclusive dates for a permanent change of station (PCS) decoration should be the start date the member arrived to the unit.  The Stop date is the date of final out-processing.  

AFI 36-2502, Enlisted Airman Promotion/Demotion Programs. Decorations are assigned a point value based on its order of precedence. The decoration closeout date must be on or before the PECD. The signed date by the higher official endorsing the recommendation on the DECOR 6 must be before the date the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) announced the selections for promotion. Resubmitted decorations (downgraded, lost, etc.) must be fully documented and verified they were placed into official channels before the selection date.  The PECD for promotion to E-8 is 30 Sep.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  The applicant provides email documentation showing she requested assistance from her former unit commander in amending the inclusive dates on her Meritorious Service Medal.  The applicant cited AFI 36-2803, paragraph 1.15.12, Inclusive Dates, which states the inclusive dates for decorations will be the PCS start date, which is the date the member arrived to the station/unit.  The stop date is the date of final out-processing from the unit.  The applicant’s former unit commander responded that he would not recommend an amendment of her Meritorious Service Medal citing AFI 36-2803, paragraph 1.15.12.7, which states “Unless under extenuating circumstances, requests to change either start or stop dates once a decoration has been finalized and presented should not be approved.” 

As the applicant is currently serving, all administrative avenues have not been exhausted as the approval authority is the sole authority for determination of the end date.  Therefore, the applicant should request the original approval authority amend the end date of the decoration. Accordingly, there appears to be no error or injustice.

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 5 Nov 21, for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant has exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  While the Board notes the recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP against correcting the record, the Board finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions. 
Specifically, the applicant did not become aware of the inclusive date error until she received the decoration at her gaining unit, which was after the PECD.  Furthermore, although AFPC/DP3SP asserts the applicant did not exhaust her administrative remedies, she did provide evidence that shows her attempts to correct the error through her chain of command, but her request was denied.  Finally, as noted in AFI 36-2803, inclusive dates for a PCS decoration should be the start date the member arrived to the unit; the stop date is the date of final out-processing.  The Board finds the applicant has provided sufficient evidence she out-processed from her losing unit on 28 Sep 18; therefore, the end date of her Meritorious Service Medal was recorded in error.  In view of the forgoing, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show the Meritorious Service Medal, issued pursuant to Special Order  XXXX, be amended to correct the inclusive dates to read 29 Jun 15 to 28 Sep 18, rather than 29 Jun 15 to 31 Oct 18.

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-2019-03851 in Executive Session on 3 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, w/atchs, dated 9 Jul 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 9 Oct 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 5 Nov 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.