RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2022-01397

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: XXXXXX
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He be awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He should be awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal as an end of tour decoration in recognition of his time served in the Air Force Reserve from 20 Jul 10 to 30 Sep 12.  He was commissioned into the Air Force Reserve in Jul 10 as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA), and remained in that status until Sep 12, when he began an indefinite period of active duty.  During the two years he spent in the Air Force Reserve, he spent 283 days on active-duty orders, and 25 calendar days performing inactive duty training. During this time, he received favorable Officer Performance Reports and was promoted from first lieutenant (O-1) to captain (O-3).  There was very little time between when he was selected for active duty and when he reported to his new duty station. As a result, he did not formally out-process from his Air Force Reserve assignment. Because of the timing of his transition from Air Force Reserve to the Regular Air Force, consideration for an end of tour decoration was an administrative oversight. In light of his performance, length of time and rank in the Air Force Reserve, he respectfully requests he be awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a Regular Air Force major (O-4).

On 20 Jul 10, according to Reserve Order XXXXX, dated 6 Aug 10, the applicant was appointed as a Reserve of the Air Force.

On 30 Sep 12, according to Special Order XXXXX dated 10 Sep 12, the applicant was ordered to active duty.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFRC/A1KK recommends denying the application.   Based on documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The applicant contends an injustice occurred because he should have been awarded an Air Force Achievement Medal as an end of tour decoration for his high level of performance while serving as an IMA.  However, he did not provide any documentation to support he was ever recommended for the Air Force Achievement Medal by his losing unit.  In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, the Air Force awards and decorations program is primarily a commander’s program that uses individual decorations, service awards and medal, achievement awards, and unit awards to recognize meritorious or outstanding service, as well as recognizing excellence above and beyond the actions of others.  No member is automatically entitled to a decoration upon permanent change of station, permanent change of assignment, retirement, separation, completion of temporary duty, or reaching/achieving other points at which a decoration may be recommended.  Supervisors must decide at these points if a decoration is appropriate.  Furthermore, recommendations must be entered into official channels within two years and awarded within three years of the act, achievement, or service performed.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by AFI 36-2803.
 
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 17 Nov 22 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was 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 applicant did not provide any evidence anyone in his chain of command recommended him for the Air Force Achievement Medal.  Therefore, the Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFRC/A1KK and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Accordingly, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, 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-2022-01397 in Executive Session on 15 Dec 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 3 Mar 22.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFRC/A1KK, w/atchs, dated 19 Oct 22.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 17 Nov 22.

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.