RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02078
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) as a
retirement decoration for his 20 years of honorable service.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
1. AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program,
paragraph 2.3.4, states review records and consider the
individuals entire career to determine the appropriate level of
decoration for retirement.
2. His entire 20-year career was not considered for his
retirement decoration.
3. His personnel records do not contain any adverse actions; he
was recognized and awarded medals during his career, and he
maintained the highest performance standards.
In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of a
draft MSM citation.
The applicants complete submission, with attachment, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 30 March 2002, the applicants was awarded the AFCM for the
period ending 30 March 2002.
On 1 October 2003, the applicant retired in the grade of master
sergeant after serving 20 years, 4 months and 6 days of total
active service.
The MSM is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United
States who distinguish themselves by outstanding non-combat
meritorious achievement or service to the United States
subsequent to 16 January 1969. Normally, the acts or services
rendered must be comparable to that required for the Legion of
Merit (LOM) but in a duty of lesser though considerable
responsibility.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDR recommends denial. DPSIDR states AFI 36-2803,
paragraph 2.2 states there is no requirement to present a
retirement decoration. Decorations are a voluntary act of the
recommending official. Also, there was no special order found
in the applicants records and no official signature was located
on the provided citation.
The complete DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant states he is merely seeking a small amount of
recognition in the form of a retirement MSM based on his 20-year
military record, which includes unit and personal awards and the
MSM citation that was not forwarded on his behalf.
The applicants complete submission 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 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. While the
applicant believes he should have been awarded an MSM based on
his military record and the awards he received, we do not find
the evidence provided is sufficient to conclude that his
commanders decision not to award him the MSM or any other
decoration at retirement constituted error or injustice. We
would point out that even if we believe the applicants record
meets the basic requirements for award of the requested
decoration, without knowing the reasons the commander chose not
to grant the applicant an award, we do not have a basis to
substitute our judgment for that of the commander. Therefore,
we conclude that on the basis of the evidence provided, the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In
the absence of evidence to the contrary, the applicant's request
is not favorably considered.
_________________________________________________________________
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 Docket Number BC-
2011-02078 in Executive Session on 22 Sept 11 under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 26 May 11, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicants Master Personnel Record.
Exhibit C. HQ AFPC/DPSIDR, Letter, dated 20 Jul 1l.
Exhibit D. SAF/MRBR, Letter, dated 29 Jul 11.
Exhibit E. Applicants Rebuttal, Letter, dated 8 Aug 11.
Panel Chair
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