RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-00255
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED: NO

	 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, be updated to reflect the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 
(AFEM).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He deployed for a period of 179 days in direct support of 
Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF).  After he returned to the 
United States, he had to out-process immediately from the Air 
Force and believes this is the reason that his DD Form 214 did 
not get updated.  He did not discover this error until he was 
directed to report to Youngstown Air Force Station for a Reserve 
Muster Duty.  It was at that point he found out that he did not 
receive the proper awards.  He went to Wright Patterson AFB, OH, 
where he was able to retrieve a copy of the Citation of 
Meritorious Unit Award and special order; therefore, he would 
like a corrected copy of his DD Form 214.

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, copies of special orders, and a copy of the 
Citation for the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award.

His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 20 Sep 05.  
He was discharged on 19 Sep 09 for completion of required active 
service.  The applicant received an honorable discharge after 
serving 4 years on active duty.

AFPC/DPSIDR was able to verify that the applicant qualified for 
the Meritorious Unit Award with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (MUA 
W/1bloc, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-E), 
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (AFESR 
w/GB) - administratively corrected.

The AFEM criteria:  The AFEM is awarded to members of the United 
States Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, have participated 
in a United States military operation and encountered foreign-
armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign 
Armed Forces.  The AFEM is awarded for participation in 
Operation BLUE BAT, specifically Lebanon, from 1 July 1958 to 1 
November 1958.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force, which is at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denying the AFEM.  The AFEM is not 
authorized for deployments to Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation 
ENDURING FREEMDOM; therefore, the applicant is not eligible for 
this award.  However, the appropriate campaign medal for his 
deployment is the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, 
which will be administratively updated in the applicant’s 
record.

The complete DPSOE evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 31 Mar 13 for review and comment within 30 days.  
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 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.  We note the 
Air Force office of primary responsibility has agreed to 
administratively correct the applicant’s record and we concur 
with the administrative corrections.  However, with regard to 
the applicant’s specific request to have his DD Form 214 updated 
to include the AFEM, the applicant’s contentions are duly noted; 
however, after reviewing the evidence of record, 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 the applicant has not provided sufficient 
evidence to substantiate his entitlement to the AFEM.  However, 
should the applicant provide additional supporting documents to 
support his request for the AFEM, the Board would be willing to 
reconsider his request.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence 
to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the 
relief sought in this application.

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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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-00255 in Executive Session on 12 Sep 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Jan 13, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 25 Mar 13.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Mar 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair