RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:  				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00147
								INDEX CODE:  113.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX			     COUNSEL: None 

XXX-XX-XXXX				HEARING DESIRED: No 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect the specific dates he was assigned to Thailand and Vietnam. 
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was assigned to Royal Thailand Air Force Base, Thailand, May - June 1972.  He needs to verify time spent in Vietnam for the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). 

In support of his application, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, and medical records indicating a back injury and eye evaluations.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 4 May 1971, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force at the age of 18 in the grade of airman basic (E-1) for a period of four years.  He was progressively promoted to the rank of staff sergeant (E-5) effective and with a date of rank of 1 August 1980.  
On 5 May 1986, the applicant was demoted to the rank of sergeant (E-4) with a date of rank of 4 May 1973 for unsatisfactory performance in the weight management program.  On 10 November 1986, the applicant was notified that his noncommissioned officer status was vacated, due to a pending proposed administrative discharge for failure in the weight management program.  The applicant was honorably discharged effective 2 February 1987 with a separation code GFT (Exceeding Air Force Weight Standards) and a reenlistment code 2C (Involuntarily Separated with an Honorable Discharge).  He had served 15 years, 8 months and 28 days of active duty service, of which 5 years, 10 months, and 4 days was foreign service.

According to the military personnel system (MILMOD) the applicant’s only overseas assignments were in Guam and Germany.

The AFBCMR considered a request from the applicant in 1994, requesting his discharge be changed to a medical retirement.  The Board denied the applicant’s application as untimely. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP2 recommends the application be denied.  There are no documents in the applicant’s Master Personnel Records that show specific locations or time of service in Vietnam or Thailand.  The applicant was asked to provide verifying documentation for any type of temporary duty (TDY) or assignment to Vietnam or Thailand; however, the applicant did not furnish any.  The DPAPP2 evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant states he was stationed at Royal Takhli Air Force Base, Thailand.  There were no orders published because the mission was secret.  He notes that his military medical record is annotated with a 19 May 1972 entry by 27 TAC Hospital.  He was stationed at Luke AFB at the time and was told that Luke AFB was a detachment of Hetonan Air Force Base. He claims he was paid hazard/combat pay, but has not been able to get the records yet.  The applicant also claims he was exposed to Agent Orange while working in supply.  The applicant’s rebuttal with attachments 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.  The applicant did not provide any documentary evidence to substantiate his claim of time spent in Vietnam.  We note the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; however, assignment in the country of Vietnam was not required for award of these decorations.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 completed upon his discharge on 7 January 1975 indicates he was assigned in Thailand for 45 days; however, it unfortunately does not contain specific dates or locations of time spent in Thailand.  The applicant asserts that he was assigned to Royal Thailand Air Force Base, Thailand, between May and June 1972.  Other than the applicant’s assertions, we have no evidence to confirm this claim.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Accordingly, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling 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 this application in Executive Session on 11 September 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-00147 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Sep 2002.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 1 Apr 2003.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Apr 2003.
	Exhibit E.  Applicant’s Rebuttal, dated 8 Apr 2003.