RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02624

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  YES



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), ending      , be upgraded to 
a Bronze Star Medal (BSM).


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The actions for which he was recognized while deployed, as 
evidenced in his MSM citation, are worthy of a BSM.  He 
specifically notes his 100 “outside the wire” missions, 46 
missions as a convoy commander, and his role as a master convoy 
trainer.  He further contends his MSM was originally submitted as 
a BSM but was downgraded due to Air Force scrutiny on the number 
of awards coming out of Afghanistan at the time his decoration was 
being submitted.  He is grateful for the MSM but believes he is 
equally worthy of a BSM, as compared to fellow deployed airmen, 
who were awarded BSMs, at much more secure locations.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently a member of the Regular Air Force, 
serving in the grade of master sergeant (E-7).

On 23 Sep 10, the applicant was awarded the MSM, for the period of          
to         , by the United States Air Forces Central Command 
(USCENTAF) Commander.

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




AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIDR recommends granting the applicant’s request to award 
the BSM.  The BSM is governed by Executive Order 11046, which 
authorizes the Secretary of a Military Department to award the BSM 
to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United 
States Armed Forces, distinguishes himself or herself by heroic or 
meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in 
aerial flight; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the 
United States; while engaged in military operations involving 
conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with 
friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an 
opposing armed force in which the United States is not a 
belligerent party.

The USCENTAF Decoration Guidebook, 27 Dec 04, states the member 
must be physically present within a combat zone as declared by the 
appropriate military authority and qualify for receipt of imminent 
danger or hostile fire pay during the award period.  Additionally, 
they must meet one or more of the following conditions: engaged in 
an action against an enemy of the United States; engaged in 
military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign 
force or, serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed 
conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is 
not a belligerent party.  An individual whose entitlement to 
imminent danger pay is due solely to flying missions into the 
imminent danger pay zone does not qualify for a BSM.  The USCENTAF 
Guidebook states the MSM is awarded for outstanding non-combat 
meritorious achievement or service to the United States.  Do not 
award for aerial achievement.  Individuals stationed within the 
area of responsibility, but who do not meet the qualifications for 
the BSM, may be awarded the MSM.

While it is noted the applicant’s AF IMT 3994, Recommendation  
for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations, dated      , 
does not mention the BSM, and the applicant does not have a 
recommendation for upgrade from someone with firsthand 
knowledge of the act/achievement, preferably from someone 
within his chain of command at the time of the act/achievement, 
a proposed citation, or eyewitness statements, AFPC/DPSIDR 
believed based on the MSM recommendation package the 
applicant's actions were at least qualifying for consideration 
of the BSM.  Should the board grant the relief sought, the MSM 
will be revoked so that the BSM can be awarded.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIDR evaluation is at Exhibit C.

SAF/MRBP recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an 
error or an injustice.  It is noted AFPC/DPSIDR recommends 
consideration for upgrade to a BSM; however, the applicant’s chain 
of command felt the MSM was the proper award for his actions and 
USAFCENT approved the MSM.  USAFCENT’s expertise and experience in 
determining between an MSM and a BSM is very credible.  It is 
recommend the applicant submit additional supporting 
documentation, including statements from someone with firsthand 
knowledge of the act/achievement, from someone within his chain of 
command at the time of the act/achievement, a proposed citation, 
or eyewitness statements.

A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit D.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant provides further documentation to support his 
request, in the form of a signed letter from someone in his chain 
of command, with firsthand knowledge of the act/achievement.  The 
letter from his wing command chief wholeheartedly supports the 
upgrade from an MSM to a BSM.  The letter highlights several key 
accomplishment and the risks involved in the applicant’s actions.  
In closing, the applicant’s former command chief notes he is 
unsure how the original citation was ever approved as anything 
other than a BSM.


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 injustice.  After a thorough 
review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete 
submission, to include his rebuttal response, we believe the 
applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  While we 
note the comments of AFPC/DPSID indicating that relief should be 
granted, we believe a preponderance of the evidence substantiates 
that corrective action is not warranted.  In this respect, we note 
the applicant has stated, as did a former member of his chain of 
command, that his accomplishments were at least equivalent of 
others receiving the BSM.  However, there is no supporting 
documentation from the award originators to support this position.  
Specifically, the AF IMT 3994, Recommendation for Decoration, 
dated    , clearly indicates the applicant was intentionally 
recommended for the MSM (it was not downgraded from a BSM) and is 
signed by two officers in his direct chain of command.  It is more 
likely than not, these individuals are in the best position to 
make the appropriate award recommendation.  Further, there is no 
evidence to validate there was external influence to limit the 
number of BSMs for deployed members, as he contends.  Therefore, 
we recommend the applicant’s records not be corrected.


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 issues 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-2014-02624 in Executive Session on, 25 Mar 15 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 Jun 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 22 Aug 14.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, SAF/PC, dated 16 Oct 14.
Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Nov 14.
Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Dec 14, w/atchs.