RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-03884
      INDEX CODE:  107.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX				COUNSEL: NO

								HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

Her award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) be 
upgraded to the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).  
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her mission, while forward deployed in a war zone, warrants more 
appropriate recognition.  While her team was deployed to Camp 
Habbaniyah, Iraq, from May 2005 to May 2006, they engaged in 
combat activities on a very frequent basis.  After three months 
in theater, their team was augmented by another four-man Air 
Force team who assisted them in their duties.  Several months 
after completion of their tour, her team received a mixture of 
decorations ranging from the DMSM to Joint Service Commendation 
Medals.  However, the other team received Bronze Star and Joint 
Service Commendation/Joint Achievement medals while still in 
Iraq.  She feels there has been a disservice done to her team 
and herself.  She would like to have the decorations awarded to 
her team rescinded and to have her team submitted for the BSM 
and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.  While deployed, she 
tried to submit her team for the BSM, but was told by her 
leadership that by virtue of their ranks, they did not qualify 
for the BSM.  However, both teams consisted of two company grade 
officers and two non-commissioned officers.  

In support of her appeal, the applicant has provided a personal 
statement, and copies of intelligence summaries; a chronological 
list of events while assigned to Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq; several 
witness statements; an Officer Performance Report closing 8 May 
2006; and a DMSM citation.  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

According to the military personnel data system, the applicant 
is currently serving on active duty with a Total Active Federal 
Military Service Date of 7 October 1986 and a Total Active 
Federal Commissioned Service Date of 2 March 2001.  She was 
promoted to the grade of captain effective and with a date of 
rank of 2 March 2005.  She was awarded the DMSM for 
exceptionally meritorious service as a Military Police Advisor, 
Base Defense Unit, Habbaniyah, Coalition Military Assistance 
Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command – 
Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, from 10 May 2005 to 1 May 2006 during 
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIDR does not provide a recommendation other than for the 
Board to review the appeal.  DPSIDR states the applicant was 
approved for the DMSM from Multi-National Security Transition 
Team Command – Iraq, who serves as the approval authority under 
United States Central Command (USCENTCOM).  DPSIDR indicates 
they contacted USCENTCOM; who confirmed there is no appeal 
process for approved decorations in the Area of Responsibility 
(AOR) and that they would not consider upgrading the applicant’s 
award.  

The DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit B.  

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 1 August 2008 for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit 
C).  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After a 
thorough review of the available records, including evidence 
presented by the applicant, we found no evidence to support her 
contention that she should have been awarded a BSM.  We find no 
evidence to support that she was recommended for the BSM or that 
USCENTCOM erred in their decision to award her the DMSM for her 
service in Iraq.  Based on the preceding and absent evidence to 
the contrary, we find no evidence of error or injustice in this 
case.  Accordingly, we find no basis to favorably consider this 
application. 

4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) 
involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that the application will only be reconsidered upon the 
submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered 
with this application.

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 The following members of the Board considered this application 
in Executive Session on 20 November 2008, under the provisions 
of AFI 36-2603:

			XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Chair
			XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member
			XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection 
with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-03884:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Nov 07, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 11 Jul 08.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Aug 08.




                                   XXXXXXXXXXXXX
                                   Chair