IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 March 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210013605 APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) FACTS: 1. The applicant states, after a review of her DD Form 214 by a human resources specialist, she was informed the AFSM was missing from her record in accordance with the Jobs for Veterans Act, Public Law 107-288, amended Title 38 U.S. Code 4214, "Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participates in a United States military operation for which an AFSM was awarded." 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 17 July 1996. 3. On 16 September 2002, she was honorably discharged. Item 12f (Foreign Service) of her DD Form 214 shows she completed 1 year, 11 months and 26 days of foreign service. The form further shows she was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar * Army Lapel Button 4. On 27 January 2021, her DD Form 214 was corrected by adding the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. 5. During the processing of this case, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) reviewed her Master Military Pay Account and verified she served in Germany from 2 January 1997 to 23 December 1998. 6. Her Official Military Personnel File does not contain and she did not provide evidence that she served in an operation for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is approved and who, after 1 June 1992 participate or participated as a member of a U.S. military unit in a U.S. military operation deemed to be a significant activity and encountered no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action. 7. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), then in effect, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge, and is not intended to have any legal effect on termination of a Soldier's service. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's record of service, documents submitted in support of the petition and executed a comprehensive and standard review based on law, policy and regulation. Upon review of the applicant’s petition and available military records, the Board determined the applicant’s record is absent supporting documentation that she served in an operation for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is approved. The Board determined there was insufficient evidence to support the applicant’s request for award of the AFSM. Therefore, the Board denied relief. 2. This board is not an investigative body. The Board determined despite the absence of the applicant’s separation records, they agreed the burden of proof rest on the applicant, however, she did not provide any supporting documentation and her service record has insufficient evidence to support the applicant contentions for award of the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM). 3. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING X X X DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: Except for the correction addressed in Administrative Note(s) below, the Board found the evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): The following orders and regulatory cites are sufficient to make the following administrative corrections to the applicant's DD Form 214 for the period ending on 16 September 2002 without action by the Board: a. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), paragraph 5-6, table 5-1; Army Regulation 635-5 paragraph 2-4h., (14), DA Form 1059 (Service School Academic Evaluation Report), dated 28 September 1999; b. add to item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; and c. add to item 14 (Military Education) the entry, Primary Leadership Development Course, 4 weeks, 1998. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the AFSM may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States for operations for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is approved and who, after 1 June 1992 participate or have participated as members of U.S. military units in a U.S. military operation deemed to be a significant activity and encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action. Service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating in or engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility (or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days' duration) or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility or meet the following criteria: * While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member, accumulates 15 days' service (consecutive/nonconsecutive flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area in direct support of the military operations; * One day's service is credited for the first sortie flown on any day. Additional sorties flown on the same day receive no further credit 2. Army Regulation 635-5, then in effect, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge, and is not intended to have any legal effect on termination of a Soldier's service. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210013605 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1