RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-02120

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) be reinstated.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His AFCM was revoked because it was awarded by the wrong entity.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air National Guard, airman first class (E-3).

On 5 Sep 13, Special Order G-021148 was published and indicates the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) awarded the applicant the AFCM with inclusive dates of 15 Aug 12 to 8 Sep 12.

On 16 Sep 13, AF IMT 973, Request and Authorization for Change of Administration Orders, was published and indicates ARPC/DPTSA revoked the AFCM due to it not being processed by U.S. Air Force Central Command (USAFCENT).

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/DPTS recommends denying the application as they does not have the authority to reinstate the AFCM to the applicant.  The applicant’s AF IMT 973 states the revocation was processed because the decoration was not submitted by the USAFCENT per AFCENT Awards and Decorations Guidebook paragraph 1.5.  The applicant has the option to submit his request per AFMAN 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, paragraph 3.19 and 10 U.S.C. § 1130.  This legislation allows consideration of recommendations submitted beyond the time limitation.

The complete advisory opinion with attachments is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 8 Oct 20 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant did not exhaust all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.
3.  The applicant’s failure to exhaust all available remedies renders any potential action by the Board premature.  In particular, the applicant has not presented his case to AFPC via his Congressman, which would be able to review the case fully and, if warranted, provide relief.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s record at this time.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant other avenues of administrative relief remain available, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of documentary evidence that such relief has been exhausted.

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-2020-02120 in Executive Session on 17 Dec 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 29 Apr 20.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, HQ ARPC/DPTS, w/atchs, dated 16 Sep 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 8 Oct 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.