RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01526
							INDEX CODE:  111.02
  							COUNSEL:  NONE

  							HEARING DESIRED:  UNKNOWN

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  18 November 2008

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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 a different Home of Record (HOR); the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars (VSM w/3BSS), versus one Bronze Service Star; two additional Overseas Ribbons; and the technical courses he completed.  
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He is attempting to update his DD Form 214 because he is trying to upgrade his Veterans Administration (VA) disability rating.  

In support of his request, the applicant submits copies of his DD Form 214, separation document from the Air National Guard, and four certificates of training.  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 3 October 1968, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force in the grade of airman basic at the age of 19 for a period of four years.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (E-4) with a date of rank of 1 April 1971.  

On 26 September 1972, the applicant was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve.  He served 3 years, 11 months, and 24 days of active duty of which 10 months and 29 days was foreign service.  His DD Form 214 reflects he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Fore Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star.  

On 16 October 1972, the applicant enlisted in the Air National Guard where he continued to serve attaining the grade of master sergeant (E-7) with a date of rank of 24 May 1988.  On 6 June 1995, he requested to be transferred to the Retired Reserve effective 1 July 1995.  On 29 June 1995, the applicant was transferred to the Retired Reserve with 26 years, 8 months, and 27 days of satisfactory service.  

On 18 June 2007, AFPC issued a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, to include the applicant’s training courses in which he submitted certificates of completion.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request for two additional Bronze Service Stars to his Vietnam Service Medal.  DPPPR states they are unable to verify the applicant’s overseas assignment due to his limited personnel record; however, they are able to verify he received the VSM w/1BSS during his overseas tour as annotated on his DD Form 214.  The Air Force Overseas Ribbons-Short/Long Tour (AFOR-ST/LT) was not authorized during the time the applicant was serving on active duty from 1968-1972.  The AFOR-ST/LT Ribbons were awarded to Air Force and Air Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 September 1980.  The applicant’s completed tour was during his active duty service period prior to the authorized date, which makes him ineligible for award of the AFOR ST/LT.  

DPPPR states the official documentation needed to verify the applicant’s entitlement to additional awards for his overseas service is not located in his records; therefore, they are unable to verify his unit received any additional awards other than what is listed on his DD Form 214.  

The DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

ARPC/DPPAE recommends denial to change the applicant’s HOR.  DPPAE states the HOR is defined as the place recorded as the home of the member at the time they enlisted, were commissioned, or initially ordered to active duty.  It is recorded in the personnel record to determine transportation entitlements upon separation, or those of dependents in the event of the member’s death while on active duty.  It can be changed only if there is a break in service of one full day or a bona fide error was made in recording information given by the member.  The only DD Form 4/1, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States, in the applicant’s record shows his HOR as XXXX XXXXXX, MA 02536.  The applicant must submit documentation showing the current HOR listed on his DD Form 214 was a bona fide error in order to change it.  As a side note, the HOR has no effect on the applicant’s VA disability rating.  

The DPPAE evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D.  

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 27 July 2007, for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 note that AFPC has administratively corrected the applicant’s DD Form 214 to reflect the technical training courses he completed; therefore, we will only address that portion of his requests for award of Overseas Ribbons, additional awards of the VSM, and a change to his HOR.  After a thorough review of the available records, we found no evidence that the individual is eligible for the AFOR – ST/LT or additional awards of the VSM.  In addition, we find no error in the applicant’s HOR as currently reflected on his DD Form 214.  The applicant did not provide any documentary evidence to substantiate his claims or, that he was recommended for, or awarded the AFOR or additional awards of the VSM.  Therefore, based on the available evidence of record, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices 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.  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 24 October 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-01526:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 May 07, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 7 Jun 07.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 9 Jul 07, w/atch.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Jul 07.