RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05893

	COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES 




APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to show that he received the following ratings and decorations:

1.  Master Aircrew Wings.

2.  Missile Badge.

3.  Rigger Wings.

4.  Army Commendation Medal.



APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Block 11, Primary Specialty, of his DD Form 214 shows that he was an aircrew member for 18 years and in the missile career field for 5 years; therefore, block 13, Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized, should reflect he was awarded Master Aircrew Wings and Missile Badge.

While assigned to Airborne School as liaison to the Army for airdrop, he received the Rigger Wings, which should also be included on his DD Form 214.

At his retirement, the Army presented him with the Army Commendation Medal, and it should be included on his DD Form 214.

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



STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 10 May 73.

On 31 Aug 96, the applicant was released from active duty and retired, effective 1 Sep 96, and was credited with 23 years, 3 months, and 21 days of active service.  

In accordance with AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges, the criteria for the Chief Airman aircrew member badge (wings) is at least 15 years aviation service (airman must have at least a 7-skill level as crewmember) and 2300 hours (any combination of primary, instructor, and/or evaluator time) or at least 3000 total hours or 144 paid months of operational flying duty.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C through F. 



AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AF/A3O-AIF recommends granting the Aircrew Member Badge.  Based on the supporting documents provided by the applicant, he was awarded the Airmen Aircrew Member Badge (wings) and it should be reflected on his DD Form 214. 

A complete copy of the AF/A3O-AIF evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice regarding the award of the Army Commendation Medal.  A thorough review of the applicant’s records did not reveal a Special Order or any other official documentation verifying that he was recommended for and/or awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  Furthermore, the applicant contends he received the Medal upon his retirement from the Air Force; however, official documentation within the applicant's record shows the applicant received the Meritorious Service Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM (1OLC)) upon the occasion of his retirement.  If the applicant were to receive both the Army Commendation Medal and MSM (1OLC)  as retirement decorations, dual recognition would have occurred which is prohibited in accordance with AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, and DoDM 1348.33, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: General Information, Medal of Honor, and Defense/Joint Decorations and Awards.  To grant relief would be contrary to the eligibility criteria established by DoDM 1348.33, the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff, and/or the War Department.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPSIM makes no recommendation regarding the applicant’s request for career badges, indicating they are not the proper approving authority for career badges.  AFPC Special Programs Branch is only authorized to interpret uniform wear policy (i.e., placement of badges, order of ribbons, etc.) and is therefore not qualified to determine if an applicant has met specific badge requirements. 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit E.

AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice regarding the award of the Rigger Wings and Missile Badge.  The applicant has not provided source documents to support the authorization to record the Rigger Wings and Missile badge on the DD Form 214.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit F.  



APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 16 Sep 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.



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 regarding the applicant’s request that his DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect the award of the Missile Badge, Rigger Wings, and the Army Commendation Medal.  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 AFPC/DPSID and AFPC/DPSOR and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to grant this portion of his requests. 

4.  Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented warranting a correction of the applicant’s DD Form 214 to reflect award of the Chief Airman Aircrew Member Badge.  In this respect, we did take note of the AF/A3O-AIF initial recommendation to grant the Aircrew Member Badge; however, after their subsequent thorough review of the applicant’s records, they determined that he did meet the requirements prescribed in AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges, for permanent award of the Chief Airman Aircrew Member Badge.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records only be corrected to the extent indicated below.  

5.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.



THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded the Chief Airman Aircrew Member Badge.



The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-05893 in Executive Session on 11 Dec 14 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated DD MMM YY, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AF/A3O-AIF, dated 18 Feb 14.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 16 Jun 14.
	Exhibit E.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 11 Mar 14.
	Exhibit F.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 6 Aug 14.
Exhibit G.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Sep 14.