RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-02993
INDEX CODE: 107.00
JEFFREY CADWELL COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Block 13 of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from
Active Duty, be changed to reflect that he was awarded the Armed
Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He participated in Operation Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia from 8
August 2000 to 15 November 2000 and, as a result, should be awarded
the AFEM.
The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 6
May 1998. He was progressively promoted to the grade of Senior Airman
(SRA/E-4) with a date of rank of 6 May 01.
On 9 October 2000, while stationed in Saudi Arabia supporting
Operation Southern Watch, applicant received an Article 15, for
sleeping at his sentinel post. The punishment imposed was a suspended
reduction in grade to Airman (AMN/E-2), forfeiture of $150 per month
for two months, and a reprimand. His commander characterized the
applicant’s service as being not honorable and directed that applicant
not be awarded the AFEM.
The applicant was involuntarily discharged, after his first term of
service, on 20 May 2002, with an honorable discharge under the
provisions of AFI 36-3208, Unsatisfactory Performance (Failure of
Career Development Courses). Applicant had served 4 years and 15 days
of active duty and was serving in the grade of SRA at the time of
discharge.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPPPR, recommended disapproval of the applicant’s request.
While DPPPR noted that the applicant would normally have been awarded
the AFEM, he was not eligible due to his deployed commander’s
direction to the contrary. DPPPR cited DoD Manual 1348-33-M, pages 6-
8, as the basis for the deployed commander’s authority to deny the
award. The manual requires that the service of the member be
honorable in order for him to qualify for the award. (Exhibit C)
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant contends that he is being judged solely on the incident
that took place while TDY to Saudi Arabia. The applicant argues that
other Air Force members have one or more Article 15’s that do not seem
to have had as negative an impact on their careers as was the case
with his career.
He offers the following in support of his claim. That:
a. He completed his tour in Saudi Arabia even after
receiving the Article 15.
b. This was the only Article 15 he received while on active
duty.
c. After his six-month suspended ‘bust’ (through 13 April
2001) he was promoted from Airman First Class to SRA on 6 May 2001.
d. He received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal (AFGCM).
e. He was honorably discharged.
The applicant feels that he completed his service in a satisfactory
manner and should be awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
(AFEM).
The applicant’s rebuttal is at Exhibit E.
_________________________________________________________________
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. We took notice of the
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case.
The board noted that while the applicant substantiated his eligibility
for the award, his commander in the field directed that, because of
the Article 15 punishment for sleeping on sentinel duty, he did not
consider the applicant’s service as honorable. Although the applicant
clearly disagrees with his commanding officer’s judgment in this
matter, the determination was clearly within the discretion of that
officer and there is no evidence that he abused that discretion.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, wWe find no
compelling basis to recommend granting 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-
2002-02993 in Executive Session on 18 March 2003, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Philip Sheuerman, Panel Chair
Ms. Carolyn B. Willis, Member
Mr. James W. Russell, III, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dtd 16 Sep 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, dtd 3 Oct 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit D. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR, dtd 21 Nov 02.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dtd 27 Nov 02.
Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dtd 26 Dec 02.
PHILIP SHEUERMAN
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2002 | BC-2002-02993
The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. His commander characterized the applicant’s service as being not honorable and directed that applicant not be awarded the AFEM. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPPPR, recommended disapproval of the applicant’s request.
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