RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03465 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be updated to include the following: Air Force Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for service during the Panama War; Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM); (Administratively corrected). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She would like official recognition of service during the Panama War, which would allow the opportunity for veteran’s preference in the federal government. She also received the AFCM, but it is not in her official records. She had previously applied for positions within the federal government and did not realize the absence of the campaign ribbon was likely the reason she was not being qualified for 5- point veteran’s preference. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 6 Jul 87, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. According to the citation to accompany award of The Air Force Commendation Medal, she distinguished herself by meritorious service as a Staff Nurse from 2 Aug 87 to 5 Jul 90. On 5 Jul 90, the applicant was released from active duty with an honorable character of service. She was credited with 3 years of active service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). DPSID was unable to locate, and the applicant did not supply any, official documentation verifying she served in the area of eligibility in direct support of Operation JUST CAUSE for the AFEM. Her DD Form 214 does not reflect completion of any foreign service while she was on active duty. The applicant provided a document from the American Legion indicating the dates from 20 Dec 89 to 31 Jan 90 as eligibility dates for Panama. While these are the correct dates for Operation JUST CAUSE, they are used for veterans that served during that period as a basis for American Legion Membership, and do not reflect eligibility for award of the AFEM. The AFEM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who after 1 Jul 58, participated in United States Military operations, United States operations in direct support of the United Nations, or United States operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations. Service members must be bona fide members of a unit engaged in the operation or meet one or more of the following criteria: be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of operations (or for the full period when an operation is less than 30 days duration) or 60 nonconsecutive days provided the support involved entering the area of eligibility, be engaged in actual combat, or duty that is equally as hazardous as combat duty, during the operation with armed opposition, regardless of time in the area, or participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area in support of the military operations. Based on DPSID’s review of the applicant’s official military personnel record, they were able to determine that the below Air Force Medal and/or Ribbon should have been awarded during the applicant’s service from 6 Jul 87 to 5 Jul 90 and was not reflected in her records. Upon final board decision, administrative correction of the applicant’s official military personnel record will be completed by AFPC/DPSOR: * Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 17 Feb 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 warranting correction of the applicant’s records to reflect her entitlement to the AFEM. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission, including attachments, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the applicant was awarded the AFCM per Headquarters Keesler Technical Training Center Special Order G- 76, dated 28 Aug 90, and will correct her records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief beyond that rendered administratively. 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 documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03465 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Aug 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 24 Nov 14. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Feb 15.