RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02639 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

  HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. He be entitled to the Senior Aircrew Member Badge. 

 

2. He be entitled to the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). 

 

3. He be entitled to the Air Reserve Forces MSM. 

 

4. He be entitled to the Aerial Achievement Medal (AAM). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

In 1955, he began flying duties on B-29 aircraft. He completed 
an assignment flying on VIP C-54 aircraft in 1959. He then 
transferred to flight mechanic duties on C-123 aircraft. He 
separated from active duty and joined the Air Force Reserves and 
performed crew chief duties. 

 

He was a dedicated airman and earned these ribbons. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

According to the applicant’s Retirement Order, on 12 Mar 1974, 
he retired in the grade of technical sergeant (TSgt, E-6). 

 

The MSM was established on 16 Jan 1969 and is awarded to members 
of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished 
themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or 
service to the United States subsequent to 16 Jan 1969. 

 

The Air Reserve Forces MSM is awarded for exemplary behavior, 
efficiency, and fidelity while serving in an enlisted status in 
the Air Reserve Forces. It is awarded only on specific 
recommendation of the person's unit commander. It is awarded 
for a period of four continuous years service computed from the 
date of assignment to a training category A, B or D for 
individuals with a beginning date before 1 July 1972. For 


individuals with a beginning date after 30 Jun 1972, the length 
of service requirement is three continuous years of service. 

 

The AAM was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 
3 Feb 1988. It is awarded for sustained meritorious achievement 
while participating in aerial flight. AFM 35-13, Flying Status 
Aeronautical Ratings, Designations and Parachute Jump Status, 
dated 23 Nov 1962, states in part that to qualify for the Senior 
Aircrew Member Badge, personnel must be on flying status as a 
crew member, physically qualified and (1) have performed seven 
years as a First Priority crew member (not necessarily 
consecutive). Time with a principle duty assignment that 
involved “frequent and regular flights” will be counted as first 
priority crew member time, and (2) possess at least a 5-skill 
level in a First Priority (crew member) AFSC. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AF/A30-A1 recommends denial of the applicant’s request for 
entitlement to the Senior Aircrew Member Badge. A30-A1 states a 
review of his records revealed he held Air Force Specialty Code 
(AFSC) A43171, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, for a portion of 
his career in the Air Force. AFSC A43171 is a crew member AFSC 
and does entitle the applicant to the badge. The documents 
provided did not show the date he was awarded the prefix A in 
his AFSC. This date is crucial in determining the time assigned 
as a crew member. Based on the supporting documentation he 
completed the 36 months required for award of the Basic Aircrew 
Member Badge. However, the documentation did not validate he 
completed the seven years required for award of the Senior 
Aircrew Member Badge. Based on guidance published in AFM 35-
13A, he did not meet the requirements for entitlement for award 
of the Senior Aircrew Member Badge. Notwithstanding the above, 
A30-A1 recommends his records be updated to reflect award of the 
Basic Aircrew Member Badge. Should the applicant provide 
additional documentation to validate he was a crew member for 
seven years, A30-A1 would reevaluate his request. 

 

Administrative correction of his official military personnel 
record to add the Basic Aircrew Member Badge will be completed 
by AFPC/DPSOY. 

 

The complete A30-A1 evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit 
C. 

 

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the 
MSM, the AAM and the Air Reserve MSM. DPSID states after a 
thorough review of his official military personnel records, they 
were unable to verify award of the MSM. However, they state he 
may request this award under the provision of Title 10, Section 
1130, United States Code. The law allows for the submission of 
award recommendations (and the upgrading of previously approved 


awards) without regard to any previously imposed time 
constraints for submission if referred by a member of Congress. 

 

According to the applicant's statement, he was a member of the 
Air Force Reserve for about 3 years and 3 months. His DD Form 
214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, indicates he was in 
inactive service for a total of 3 years, 2 months, and 24 days. 
The Air Reserve Forces MSM required a total of 4 years of 
service if the member joined prior to 1 Jul 1972. The applicant 
joined the Air Force Reserve on 1 Oct 1966, and is therefore 
ineligible for the Air Reserve Forces MSM. 

 

The applicant retired from Active Duty on 11 Mar 1974. The AAM 
was authorized on 3 Feb 1988, with no provisions for retroactive 
award. Therefore, the applicant is ineligible for award of the 
Aerial Achievement Medal. 

 

After review of his official military personnel record, DPSID 
was able to determine that the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship 
Ribbon (SAEMR) should have been awarded during his service and 
was not reflected in his records. Administrative correction of 
his official military personnel record will be completed by 
AFPC/DPSOY. 

 

The complete DPSID evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit 
D. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 23 Oct 2012, copies of the Air Force evaluations were 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 
30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this 
office (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 error or injustice regarding the 
applicant’s request for award of the MSM, Air Reserve Forces MSM 
and the Senior Aircrew Member Badge. We took notice of the 
applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the 
case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of 
the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt 
their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant 


has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the 
Air Force OPRs will administratively correct his records to 
reflect award of the Basic Aircrew Member Badge and the SAEMR. 
Aside from these corrections and in the absence of evidence to 
the contrary, we find no basis to recommend the additional 
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 this application 
in Executive Session on 14 Feb 2013, under the provisions of AFI 
36-2603: 

 

  Panel Chair 

  Member 

  Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-
2012-02639: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 Jun 2012, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, USAF/A30-A1, dated 23 Aug 2012, w/atch. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 9 Oct 2012, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Oct 2012. 

 

 

 

 

  

 Panel Chair