RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-00640

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO 
 
APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be amended to include the Master Maintenance Badge.   

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He feels he met all eligibility requirements for award of the master maintenance badge; however it was not awarded prior to his retirement.   

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Applicant is a retired Air Force master sergeant (E-7).

According to DD Form 214, issued 30 Sep 90, Item 11, Primary Specialty, lists the applicant’s Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) as 45699, Offensive/Defensive Avionic Superintendent and 45671, Electric Warfare Systems Technician.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP2SSM recommends denying the application.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  Occupational badges are awarded when the AFSC associated with that badge is awarded.  In this circumstance the applicant makes mention of being awarded the Master Maintenance Badge; however, there is nowhere in the Military Personnel Data System to update badges because they are the result of being awarded an AFSC (which is listed in Item 11 of the DD Form 214).  The applicant’s DD Form 214 has an authorized AFSC listed in Item 11; however, there is no requirement to list occupational badges.  The only badges listed on the DD Form 214 will be special badges that are the result of a member being qualified in something outside their normal job (for example, Parachutist, Aviation and Medical Insignia). 

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 26 May 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/DP2SSM 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, 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-2021-00640 in Executive Session on 1 Feb 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 22 Sep 20.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, excluding relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2SSM, w/atchs, dated 18 May 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 26 May 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.