RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03521 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge be corrected to reflect the following: a. The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/2BOLCs) (will be administratively corrected). b. The Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) (will be administratively corrected). c. The Combat Readiness Medal (CRM). d. The Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour (AFOR-ST). 2. He receive the Cold War Certificate of Appreciation. 3. He receive a corrected copy of his DD Form 214. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, was awarded/presented the AFOUA w/2BOLCs after he was discharged. The AFLSA is automatic for anyone who served four years of active duty. He completed four years and four months; therefore, the AFLSA should be added to his DD Form 214. His DD Form 214 reflects he served 1 year, 4 months and 13 days of Foreign Service all in support of Arc Light combat missions. He served as an Alert Ground Crew member on nuclear alert. He cannot confirm the actual dates; however, he was assigned to an aircraft on nuclear alert for one year. He believes his Foreign Service time and alert duty time should be enough to confirm he accumulated the 24-month requirement needed for eligibility for award of the CRM. He served enough time to meet the requirement for award of the AFOR-ST. Serving in a nuclear combat roll while assigned to the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War should entitle him to receive the Cold War Certificate of Appreciation. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal statement, copies of DD Form 214; DD Forms 1351-2, Travel Voucher or Subvoucher; DD Forms 1351-2c, Continuation Sheet; AF Forms 626, TDY Order-Military, and various other documents associated with his request. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 18 Mar 64, the applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force. On 17 Jul 68, the applicant was released from active duty. He served four years and four months of total active service. He was credited with 1 year, 4 months and 13 days of Foreign Service. The CRM is awarded to members of the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, and to members of other services after 1 Aug 60, for sustained individual combat or mission readiness or preparedness for direct weapon-system employment. Specifically, a service member must meet the following criteria: 1) complete an aggregate 24 months of sustained professional performance as a member of United States Air Force combat or mission-ready units subject to combat readiness reporting; or be individually certified as combat or mission ready and have maintained individual readiness the entire period according to a major headquarters; or subject to an individual positional evaluation program according to a higher headquarters standard. The AFOR was authorized by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF), 12 Oct 80. The ribbon was authorized to be awarded to Air Force and Air Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 80. Only individuals serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to have the AFOR applied retroactively for completion of an overseas tour. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for award of the CRM and AFOR-ST. A review of the applicant’s records failed to substantiate he served in a combat ready position for 24 months and was awarded or recommended for the CRM by his assigned base. The applicant’s assigned base/Major Command (MAJCOM) is responsible for the verification of assigned members being considered combat ready. The applicant was discharged in 1968, some 12 years prior to the authorization of the AFOR; therefore, rendering him ineligible. To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, the Secretary of the Air Force, CSAF, and/or the War Department. The Cold War Medal/Certificate recognizes members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States government who served in the United States during the Cold War. The endeavor is being conducted by the Department of the Army and the applicant can order his certificate online or write to the following address: USAHRC Cold War Recognition Program ATTN: AHRC-PDA-A, Dept 480 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue Fort Knox, KY 40122-5408 DPSID was able to verify the applicant’s entitlement to the AFOUA w/2BOLCs, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS), AFLSA, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P) for his service from 18 Mar 64 to 17 Jul 68, and were not reflected in his records. Upon final determination by the Board, DPSOR will administratively correct the applicant’s records. The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 8 Nov 13, review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has not received a response. _________________________________________________________________ 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 an error or injustice. After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that relief beyond that already granted administratively is not warranted. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to grant the relief sought in this application. _________________________________________________________________ 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. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03521 in Executive Session on 27 May 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Jul 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 17 Oct 13, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 Nov 13. Panel Chair