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Decision Text

AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC-2013-01547
Original file (BC-2013-01547.txt) Auto-classification: Denied
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-01547

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES 


________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded of the Air 
Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM).

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

At the time he served with the Air Force, the AFCAM had not been 
established.  He would like for his records to reflect he served 
in a combat zone.  He should be awarded the AFCAM for his 
actions in Iraq.

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

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 9 Sep 01, the applicant enlisted in the North Carolina Air 
National Guard (ANG).  

On 21 Mar 04, the applicant was ordered to active duty in 
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  According to the remarks 
section of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge 
from Active Duty, he served at Baghdad International Airport 
from 24 Mar 04 through 26 Jun 04.  

On 23 Jul 04, the applicant was released from active duty and 
reverted to his traditional (part-time) status as a member of 
the ANG.

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

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/A1PS recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an 
error an injustice.  The applicant does not meet the criteria 
for award of the AFCAM.  The AFCAM was established to recognize 
military members of the Air Force who actively participated in 
air or ground combat within a designated combat zone in combat 
conditions.  To qualify for the award, an individual must have 
come under direct and hostile fire while operating in unsecured 
space outside the defended perimeter or, if inside a defended 
perimeter, served in a defensive capacity.  Receiving mortars, 
responding to alarm conditions, and reporting to bunkers while 
inside encampments, compounds, or protected areas such as the 
Baghdad International Airport, do not constitute combat action 
for award of the AFCAM.  While he performed various duties 
related to Readiness functions (i.e., shipping Nuclear, 
Biological, and Chemical (NBC) detection equipment to forward 
operating locations, conducting post attack reconnaissance 
sweeps following rocket attacks, and revamping the newcomer 
presentation), his duties did not require him to be outside the 
defended perimeter, or act as an augmentee in defending the 
perimeter.  He was exposed to indirect fire from rockets being 
launched from outside the perimeter and was required to respond 
to alarm conditions, but was not actively engaged in direct fire 
in combat conditions. 

A complete copy of the NGB/A1PS evaluation is at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 17 Jun 13 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  
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.  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 or injustice.  
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find 
no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this 
application.

4.  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 issue(s) 
involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered.

________________________________________________________________

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-2013-01547 in Executive Session on 23 Jan 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 Mar 13 w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records
	Exhibit C.  Letter, NGB/A1PS, dated 31 May 13.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair

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