RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01271 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. He be entitled to the appropriate award for his service in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and INFINITE JUSTICE. 2. He receive deployment credit for his service in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and INFINITE JUSTICE. ________________________________________________________________ THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: While serving at Fairchild Air Force Base, he was deployed to an undisclosed location in support of Operation INFINITE JUSTICE, as a result of the attacks on 11 Sep 01. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his 30 Apr 07 separation and a copy of his deployment order. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant was relieved from active duty on 30 Apr 07 and retired with an effective date of 1 May 07. He was credited with 20 years and 14 days of active service for retirement. ________________________________________________________________ THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP gave no recommendation and requests the Board review the available master personnel record (MPR) and determine whether the applicant deployed in support of Operations INFINITE JUSTICE and ENDURING FREEDOM. They noted, a review of the MPR and the documentation submitted failed to provide any evidence to substantiate deployments in support of Operation INFINITE JUSTICE. While his enlisted performance reports (EPRs) indicates that he was deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, they were unable to determine the exact amount of time spent on his deployment. The complete AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial, stating, in part, that they were unable to verify the applicant served in the Area of Eligibility (AOE) for award of the Global War on Terrorism – Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E) or any other entitlements. In addition, they noted, in March 2003, the president approved the GWOT-E for award to Air Force active duty, Reserve, and Guard personnel as recognition for their service in the Global War on Terrorism. For eligibility of the GWOT-E, individuals must have deployed abroad, in an AOE, on or after 11 September 2001 and a future date to be determined, for service in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) or Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). The Directorate of Assignments verified the applicant's service at Moron Air Base, Spain, in support of OEF and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service verified applicant's overseas service from 23 September 2001 to 29 October 2001. However, they were unable to verify any awards being authorized for Spain during the period. According to the criteria for award of the GWOT-E, the applicant must have deployed to an AOE; however, Spain is not listed as a location which is eligible for award of the GWOT-E. The complete AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 27 May 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit E). ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice in regard to the applicant’s request for entitlement to appropriate decorations for his service in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and INFINITE JUSTICE. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the DPSIDR opinion and recommendation and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In respect to the applicant’s request for deployment credit, we note that DPAPP indicated that based on their review, they could not verify the exact dates the applicant was deployed. Should the applicant be able to provide additional evidence to substantiate his entitlement to the appropriate award or deployment credit, e.g., a completed travel voucher(s), we would be inclined to reconsider his application. In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01271 in Executive Session on 22 September 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Apr 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 27 Apr 11. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDR, dated 18 May 11, w/atch. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 May 11. Panel Chair