RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02451 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His records be corrected to reflect award of the Southwest Asia 
Service Medal (SWASM). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Department of Defense Manual (DoDM) 1348.33-Volume 2, Section 
1(d) states the SWASM is not authorized for those who “supported 
from home, European or Pacific bases.” He did neither. 

 

He was assigned at Howard AFB, Panama, which was under Southern 
Command which was directed by Central Command. His unit was a 
staging area after Operation JUST CAUSE, for the build up of 
forces during DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. 

 

His DD Form 214 states that he “Served from 2 Aug 90 to 30 Sep 
95, in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM/CALM.” 

 

He was made aware during pre-retirement planning that “In support 
of” was interpreted by one human resource member as creditable 
service, and by another as not creditable service. He always 
thought he had the medal or the credit for “in-theater” service. 
He received the credit 3 years ago, and now he is going to lose 
it. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides an excerpt of 
DoDM 1348.33-V2, his Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Rating 
Decision, and a SF Form 613, Verification of a Military Retiree’s 
Service in Non-Wartime Campaigns or Expeditions. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant served on active duty from 10 Jul 75 to 30 Sep 95. 

 

His DD Form 214 reflects he was retired in the grade of technical 
sergeant (E-6) effective 30 Sep 95, after serving 20 years, 


2 months, and 21 days on active duty, with 5 years, 10 months, 
and 25 days being Foreign Service. 

 

For award of the SWASM; individuals must have served in support 
of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, PROVIDE COMFORT, or 
the Cease Fire Campaign in one or more of the areas of 
responsibility (AORs) from 2 Aug 90 to 30 Nov 95: the Persian 
Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the 
Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 N. latitude and west 68 E. 
longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi 
Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. 
Individuals serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria and Jordan 
(including the airspace and territorial waters) directly 
supporting combat operations from 17 Jan 91 to 30 Nov 95 shall 
also be eligible for award of the SWASM. To be eligible, a 
service member must be: 1) attached to or regularly serving for 
one or more days with an organization participating in ground 
and/or shore (military) operations; 2) attached to or regularly 
serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly 
supporting military operations; 3) actually participating as a 
crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting 
military operations in the AOR; or 4) serving on temporary duty 
for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. Those time 
limitations may be waived for people participating in actual 
combat operations. The SWASM is not authorized for award to 
those service members who performed service from home during the 
Gulf War, such as support personnel in the United States. The 
SWASM is also not authorized for those who supported the Gulf War 
from European or Pacific bases. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSIDRA recommends denial. DPSIDRA states they were unable 
to locate any official documentation to verify the applicant 
deployed to the AOR in “direct support” of the Gulf War during 
the award inclusive period in order to be entitled to the SWASM. 
Service in Panama is not considered to be within the AOR. 

 

The complete DPSIDRA evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant reiterates his earlier contentions and states since 
Howard AFB, Panama was neither a Pacific nor a European base, how 
does DoDM 1348.33-V2 apply. Howard AFB was not under Southern 
Command, but was a staging/pre-deployment area for Central 
Command for Operation Desert Shield/Storm. His quest for 
entitlement is directed by his Human Resource Office’s request to 
validate military service for annual leave purposes. After a 
change in the wording and language about service medals, many 


agencies performed a review to see who was and who was not 
eligible for the additional hours. 

 

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit D. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission to include his rebuttal 
submission in judging the merits of the case; however, 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 the applicant has not been the victim of an 
error or injustice. We note the applicant’s contention that he 
was assigned at Howard AFB, Panama, which was a staging area 
after Operation JUST CAUSE, for the build up of forces during 
DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM; however, service at this location 
does not qualify him for award of the SWASM. Therefore, we find 
no 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 Docket Number 
BC-2011-02451 in Executive Session on 13 Oct 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

 


The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number 
BC-2011-02451 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIDRA, dated 4 Aug 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Aug 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 12 Sep 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair