RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-03892

xxxxxxxxxxxx	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He be awarded the following:

a.	Humanitarian Service Medal.

b.	Joint Service Achievement Medal.

c.	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (Will be administratively corrected).

RESUME OF THE CASE

The applicant is a former Air Force airman first class (E-3), who served in the Regular Air Force from 8 Apr 88 through 16 Dec 92.

On 6 Jun 19, the applicant submitted a DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Records, requesting award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.  He contended he recently became aware of the awards were just issued to his unit and he did not receive them.

On 4 Nov 19, AFBCMR staff notified the applicant his requests were forwarded to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) for review and/or corrective action. Based on foregoing, the applicant’s case was closed. The applicant was also notified that if AFPC was unable to resolve his requests, his application would be resubmitted to the AFBCMR.

On 27 Dec 19, the AFPC Recognition Team informed the applicant they were able to verify his eligibility for award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.  However, they were unable to verify award of the Humanitarian Service Medal or the Joint Service Achievement Medal.  They informed the applicant although he provided documents with his application to the Board, they did not support his request.  They invited the applicant to provide source documents such as special orders, travel vouchers, AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, and/or evaluation reports placing him in the area of responsibility and informed him he should send evidence to AFPC within 30 days of the date of their letter. After 30 days, the case would be referred to the Board.

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, section A14.14, states the Humanitarian Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11965, to recognize members who, after 1 Apr 75, distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a DoD-approved significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature.  The medal is awarded to individual members or to entire military units who distinguished themselves by meritorious, direct participation in a military act or operation of a humanitarian nature.  Direct participation is defined as “hands on” support at the site or sites of the military act or operation.

DoDM 1348.33, Volume 4, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD Joint Decorations and Awards, paragraph 3.5.  The Joint Service Achievement Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the U.S. Armed Forces below the grade of O-6 who, while assigned to a joint duty assignment after 3 Aug 83, distinguished themselves by outstanding performance of duty, meritorious achievement, or service.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying award of the Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.  Correspondence was sent to the applicant on 27 Dec 19, requesting additional documentation to possibly administratively correct his official record; however, as of the date of their advisory, they have not received additional documentation from the applicant.   In addition, based on review of the official record there is no indication the applicant was assigned to a “joint” organization to be eligible for award of the Joint Service Achievement Medal.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33 and AFMAN 36-2806.

Notwithstanding the above, they were able to verify award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.  Accordingly, the applicant’s record will be administratively corrected.

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 29 Oct 21 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).  The Board does not find it in the interest of justice to waive the three-year filing requirement.  Therefore, other than the administrative correction that will be made to the applicant’s record, 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-2019-03892 in Executive Session on 16 Jun 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 6 Jun 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 2 Oct 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 29 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.