RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-04091

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 


________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  She be awarded the Air Medal with five Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (AM w/5BOLCs).  

2.  Block 8b, Station Where Separated, on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed to reflect Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), NE, instead of Randolph AFB, TX.  

3.  Block 19a, Mailing Address After Separation, on her DD Form 214 be changed due to her recent change of address.  

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her decorations were correctly noted in the virtual Military Personnel Flight (vMPF) on the day she separated, but they were not included on her DD Form 214.  As of late spring 2012, she was informed all the paperwork had been processed and her other five AMs had been awarded.  In addition, she was never stationed at Randolph AFB, TX, so the “Station Where Separated” block is incorrect, and she has moved since separating and would like her current address reflected on the DD Form 214.  

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

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Air Force on 26 Jun 07.  

On 25 Aug 11, the applicant separated upon completion of her required active service, and was credited with four years and two months of active service.  

AFPC/DPSID reviewed the applicant records and directed the following changes be made to her DD Form 214:

	1.  Added the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star (AfgCM w/1BSS).  

	2.  Added the Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour       (AFOR-ST). 
	
	3.  Added the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal-International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan.  

	4.  Changed her Meritorious Unit Award (MUA) to read Meritorious Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (MUA w/1BOLC).  

	5.  Added (XYO) MC-12 Initial Qualification Training/Assured Pursuit Certification, Oct 10. 

	6.  Added (XY1) MC-12W Cryptologic Operator Mission Qualification, Jan 11.  

On 11 Jul 13, AFPC/DPSOR notified the applicant of their determination that her requests pertaining to the station where separated and mailing address, as reflected on her DD Form 214, could not be effected as the information on the DD Form 214 was recorded correctly and in accordance with the governing instruction.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility, which is attached at Exhibit C.    

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicant’s request for the AM w/5BOLC, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  The AM is awarded to United States military and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight and foreign military personnel in actual combat in support of operations.  Required achievement is less than that required for the Distinguished Flying Cross, but must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional airmen.  There is insufficient documentation to support the applicant’s request.  The applicant was assigned to Afghanistan from 20 Jan 11 to 19 Jul 11 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  A thorough review of the applicant’s official military record and submitted documentation revealed that she had been awarded the AM with three BOLCs.  However, official documentation verifying the applicant was recommended for and awarded an additional BOLC could not be located.  In addition, all avenues have not been exhausted for retroactive request for award.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 14 Aug 13 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

________________________________________________________________

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 an error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for award of the Air Medal with five bronze oak leaf clusters (AM w/5BOLC).  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission 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 of injustice.  The evidence of record indicates the applicant was awarded the AM four times (basic award and 3BOLC); however, there was no evidence to indicate she was awarded the AM w/5BOLC as she contends.  That being said, while the applicant’s master personnel records contain the award elements (certificate and orders) pertaining to the AM w/3BOLC, we note her DD Form 214 does not reflect these awards.  However, we have been advised by the Air Force OPR that her DD Form 214 will be corrected administratively to include the AM w/3BOLC as well as the other items described above.  As for the applicant’s request that the station where she was separated and mailing address after separation, as reflected on her DD Form 214, be changed, we agree with the determination by AFPC/DPSOR that the information was recorded correctly and in accordance with the governing instruction.  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 members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-04091 in Executive Session on 22 Oct 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-04091 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 Aug 12, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Nov 12 [sic],
                 w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Aug 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair