RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00306 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His	DD	Form	214,	Armed	Forces	of	the	United	States	Report	of Transfer or Discharge, be amended to reflect the following:

1.	Award of the Vietnamese Parachutist Badge.
2.	Award	of	the	Master	Parachutists	Badge.	(Administratively corrected)

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His aeronautical Order (AO) 56, dated 20 May 69, awards the parachutist rating of Mater Parachutist. The Republic of Viet Nam Joint General Staff/RVNAF, order dated 5 Dec 70, awards the Parachute Jump Certificate to allied military personnel,  to include the Master Rating Badge, to the applicant.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 29 Aug 62, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.
On 20 Aug 71 the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 8 years, 11 months, and 22 days of active service.

AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, Table 4. (How to Prepare DD Form 214), states to include awards and decorations earned in other branches of US military services as authorized to be worn by Air Force members.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial of awarding the Vietnamese Parachutist Badge. The basis for this recommendation is upon input from the Air Force Assistant Career Field Manager (CFM) of the applicant’s former specialty. The CFM believes the applicant is requesting his official jump certificate. Unfortunately the CFM was unable to fulfill the member's request as they currently do not publish official jump certificates, nor could they locate any information in current or historical guidance, indicating what this certificate is or what it looks like. If the applicant provides documentation showing he was awarded the Vietnamese Parachutist Badge AFPC/DPSIM would recommend approval.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant refutes the conclusions of the advisory opinion and argues the Republic of Viet Nam Joint General Staff/RVNAF, Vietnamese order #2995/P3/KT, dated 5 Dec 70, serves as the Official Jump Certificate. The applicant is not requesting the badge – he has it. He wants his DD 214/215 to reflect award of the Vietnamese Parachutist Badge (Master) (Exhibit F).

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 error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case, to include his rebuttal response; however, we find the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. While AFPC/DPSIM states the applicant has not proved evidence he has earned the parachutist badge, the Board finds he has submitted evidence on the contrary. Nonetheless, the Board finds the request to have the foreign parachutist badge documented on his DD Form 214 is not supported. Specifically, as AFI 36-3202 states documentation of awards and decorations earned in other branches of US military services (not foreign countries), the requested badge does not meet the requirements to be documented on his DD Form 214, as outlined in current Air Force guidance. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.
1.	

Additionally, we note AFPC/DPSIM has verified the applicant was awarded the Air Force Master and Senior Parachutist Badges. Upon final Board decision, his record will be administratively corrected.

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-2015-00306 in Executive Session on 19 Nov 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 18 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 1 Jul 15. Exhibit D.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIMC, dated 31 Jul 15. Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 Jul 15.
Exhibit F.	Letter, Applicant, dated 26 Oct 15.