RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01023
				INDEX CODE:   131.00

				COUNSEL:  None

				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty be corrected to reflect his foreign service, his training as an Alarm Response Team (ART) Leader, his award of the Marksmanship Badge and other awards.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 reflects one day of Foreign Service, he served four months in Kuwait.  He attempted to have his DD Form 214 corrected when he was discharged but was refused this courtesy.

Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 2 October 1997 as an airman basic for a period of four years.

The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects he was awarded the Air Force Training Ribbon and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.  His DD Form 214 also reflects he completed Basic Military Training, Security Forces Apprentice Course and the Air Base Ground Defense Course.

Throughout the applicant’s military career an Unfavorable Information File was established and he received an Article 15, five Letters of Reprimand (LORs), and two Letters of Counseling (LOCs).

Applicant was discharged on 7 December 1999, in the grade of airman basic with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge, in accordance with AFI 36-3208 (Misconduct).  He 
served a total of two years, two months and five days of active service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPAPP2 states there are no documents in the applicant’s records that show an entry or departure date from Kuwait.  However, his performance report for the period ending 31 May 1999 stated he volunteered for deployment to Kuwait.  On 16 April 1999, DPAPP2 requested the applicant provide documentation to support his request.  He did not respond.  They recommend the applicant’s request be denied.

A copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

HQ AFPC/DPPPR states the recommendation for discharge reflects the applicant earned the Air Force Training Ribbon and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.  There was no information in the applicant’s record to indicate he received the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (there is no “badge” for marksmanship in the Air Force, only ribbons for qualifying as Expert).  The applicant has not provided any evidence to substantiate his request for foreign service, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, nor did he provide any documentation regarding the “other awards” for which he alleges he was entitled.  Without verification of a TDY order to show he was deployed for a specific operation, and copy of a Travel Voucher to show he was in a designated overseas area, his eligibility for award of any additional awards cannot be verified.

DPPPR recommends denying the applicant's request.

A copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

EXAMINER’S NOTE:  On 5 June 2003, HQ AFPC/DPPAT informed the applicant that a course cannot be verified without a personnel data system (PDS) code and that they could not find a PDS code for his ART Course.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant disagrees with the Air Force evaluations because they are erroneous in nature.  The applicant has provided, in support of his request that he served in Kuwait, a copy of his 9th Air Expeditionary Group Certificate of Appreciation, the certificate awarding the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and a copy of the envelope cover and commemorative note.  The applicant also submitted copies of the Air Force Form 1451 (Air 
Force Arts and Crafts Equipment Qualification), Air Force Form 522 (USAF Ground Weapons Training Data), Request for Driver’s Training and Addition to US Government Drivers License, certificate for dedicated service from the Department of the Air Force Chaplain Service and a certificate of achievement from the 343rd TRS Security Forces Talent Show Participant, United Armed Forces Association 

The applicant’s complete response is attached, with attachments, at Exhibit F.

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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.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and the recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or an injustice.  The AF Training Policies Implementation office notified the applicant on 5 June 2003, that his completion of the ART Course could not be verified without a PDS code and that there was not an applicable PDS code for the ART course.  The documentation the applicant submitted regarding the marksmanship ribbon is noted; however, we find no official documentation in the applicant’s records indicating he was eligible for or received the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.  Further, the applicant has not established the he is eligible for any further awards based on his service.  The applicant was requested to provide a copy of the travel voucher showing he was TDY or assigned to Kuwait for the time period he alleges he served there.  Instead, the applicant submitted locally produced copies of a Certificate of Appreciation, Certificate for the AFEM, and a copy of the envelope and cover for a commemorative note for the Second Anniversary of the Liberation of Kuwait.  While we would be inclined to grant the request for foreign service, without official documentation such as, travel vouchers showing the days he was deployed to Kuwait, we have no basis to grant his request.  Therefore, 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-01023 in Executive Session on 3 September 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 Mar 03.
   Exhibit B.  Available Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 22 May 03, w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 18 Jun 03, w/atch.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 Jun 03.
   Exhibit F.  Applicant’s Response, dated 10 Jul 03, w/atchs.

						
						Panel Chair