RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-00385

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE	

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Amend his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, to reflect award of the following:

	a.  Combat Readiness Medal. 
	b.  Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with devices. 
c.  Air Force Training Ribbon. (Will be administratively corrected)

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

Upon completing combat training at Camp Bullis, Texas, he was awarded the Combat Readiness Medal.  During his service as a military policeman, he qualified as a marksman several times. 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former Air Force sergeant (E-4).

On 7 Sep 79, according to DD Form 214, the applicant was released from active duty and credited with four years of active service.  He was not credited with Foreign Service time.  Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) reflects the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM) and the Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA). 

On 29 May 20, the AFPC Recognition Team notified the applicant they were able to verify award of the Air Force Training Ribbon for administrative correction of his record.  However, they were unable to verify award of the Combat Readiness Medal and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and requested he provide additional documentation to verify he met eligibility criteria.
 
For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY/GUIDANCE

AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, dated 10 Jun 19. The Combat Readiness Medal is awarded to Regular Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and members of the other Military Services, after 1 Aug 60, for sustained individual combat mission readiness or preparedness for direct weapon-system employment.  On or before 17 Apr 18, members must meet the following criteria: (1) Be a member of a unit subject to combat readiness reporting; (2) Be individually certified as combat and/or mission ready and has been subject to a continuous individual positional evaluation program, according to a major command or higher headquarters standards; or (3) Complete 24 months of sustained combat and/or mission readiness with no more than a 120 calendar-day break.  If the break in combat or mission ready status exceeds 120 calendar days due to reassignment to another combat or mission duty that requires upgrading in or retraining to a new system, only the enroute and retraining time is deducted from qualifying service. 

The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon 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.  AF Form 522, Ground Weapons Training Data and USAF Firearms Qualification, or a letter from the small arms marksmanship monitor is used as the source documentation for this award.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the request for the Combat Readiness Medal and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military record, they were unable to verify he met eligibility criteria for the aforementioned awards.  Correspondence was sent to the applicant on 29 May 20 requesting additional documentation, but none was 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 30 Nov 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 regarding award of the Combat Readiness Medal and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star.  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, other than the administrative correction noted above, 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-2020-00385 in Executive Session on 12 Jul 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 4 Nov 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 11 Oct 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 30 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.