RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-01266
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED: NO

	 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of 
Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect the following:

	a. The Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM).

	b. The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The Air Force made an error by omitting these awards on his 
DD Form 214.  He believes that there is sufficient documentation 
to support that errors occurred.  With regard to the SAEMR, he 
has no idea what he scored in Basic Military Training; however, 
he recalls scoring expert at Buckley Field prior to going to 
Vietnam.  He does not recall what his score was when he 
qualified at Hill AFB, UT; however, his AF Form 572, General 
Military Training Record, reflects information in the SAEMR 
block.  He believes that the Air Force is at fault for not 
keeping proper records.

In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement and excerpts from his Master Personnel Record. 

His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant received an honorable discharge from the Regular 
Air Force on 7 Dec 72 after serving 3 years, 11 months, and 
6 days on active duty.  

The applicant’s AF Form 572, General Military Training Record, 
reflects a date in the Small Arms Marksmanship block of 1 Apr 71 
with a score and initials that are not legible.

AFPC/DPSID verified that the applicant is entitled to the Air 
Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three Bronze Oak 
Leaf Clusters (AFOUA w/V and 3 BOLC) and the Republic of Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVGC w/P) – administratively 
corrected.

The AFCM criterion:  The AFCM is awarded to members of the Armed 
Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity 
with the Air Force after 25 Mar 58, shall have distinguished 
themselves by meritorious achievement and service.  The degree 
of merit must be distinctive, though not involve the voluntary 
risk of life required for the Soldier’s Medal (or the Airman’s 
Medal now authorized for the Air Force).  

SAEMR criterion:  The SAEMR was authorized by the Secretary of 
the Air Force on 28 Aug 62.  It is awarded to all U.S. Air Force 
service members who, after 1 Jan 63, qualify as expert in small-
arms marksmanship with either the M-16 or issue handgun.

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

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial.  There is insufficient 
documentation to support the applicant obtained the required 
eligibility criteria for the SAEMR.  Additionally, there is no 
official documentation to substantiate the applicant was 
recommended for and awarded the AFCM.  The applicant is not 
requesting the decoration for any specific act or achievement 
during his service but merely basis his request on the fact that 
he received several Letters of Appreciation.  However, a signed 
recommendation from someone with firsthand knowledge detailing a 
specific act or achievement during a specified timeframe, 
proposed citation, and eyewitness statements attesting to the 
act or achievement were not provided.  

The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He reiterates his original contention that one of the reasons he 
was selected to be a Security Police Augmentee was because he 
had qualified expert on the M-16.  With regard to the AFCM, his 
performance reports and Letters of Appreciation show specific 
time lines and justification for this award.  He sent an email 
to a former master sergeant who was the noncommissioned officer 
in charge (NCOIC) of the Equipment Management Office and who 
endorsed his performance report.  He asked the NCOIC about the 
AFCM and he stated, “I have no idea why you did not get a 
commendation medal you should have gotten one it makes no 
sense.”  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at 
Exhibit E.

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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.  After a 
thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant's 
submission to include his rebuttal response, in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we are not persuaded that his 
uncorroborated assertions, in and by themselves, are 
sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by 
the Air Force of primary responsibility.  Therefore, 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 relief beyond that already granted 
administratively is not warranted.  Therefore, in the absence of 
documentary evidence to corroborate his claim, we find no basis 
to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-01266 in Executive Session on 14 Nov 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2013-01266 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Mar 13, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 13 May 13.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 May 13.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Jun 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair








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