RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-03324

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, effective 7 August 1995, Block 12. Record of Service, be corrected to reflect he served in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia during the period 18 December 1992 to 2 February 1993 (administratively corrected).  

2.  His records be corrected to reflect he was authorized and awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) (administratively corrected).  

3.  His DD Form 214, Block 18, Remarks Section, be corrected to reflect the removal of “Member has not completed first full term of service.”  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was informed that he could receive an early release if he found comparable employment and had less than six months remaining on his term of contract.  The military was engaged in downsizing and they were looking for people to take an early out.  He was further told that he would not be penalized in any way; therefore, the comment that he did not complete his full term of duty should not be annotated on his DD Form 214.  

He served in Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.  Therefore, his record should reflect this service.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 24 January 1992.  

On 7 August 1995, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years, 6 months, and 14 days of active service.   

On 10 December 2015, AFPC/DPAPP notified the applicant that after a complete review of his official military records and the documentation he provided, they were able to verify and confirm his boots on ground foreign service time at Dhahran Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 18 December 1992 to 2 February 1993.  Also, he was advised of the error concerning the amount of foreign service time reflected on his DD Form 214.  As specific locations are not annotated on the DD Form 214, he was provided a letter documenting that he had “boots on ground” for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and advised his DD Form 214 would be corrected administratively to reflect his foreign service time for 1 month and 16 days.  

On 8 April 2016, AFPC/DP3SP was able to verity the applicant’s entitlement to the following Air Force Medals and/or Ribbons and will correct his records administratively:  

		a.  Southwest Asia Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (SWASM w/1BSS).  

		b.  Kuwait Liberation Medal-Kuwait (KLM-K) 

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial.  The applicant did not serve his first full four year term of service.  The applicant enlisted into active service for a period of four years.  He was voluntarily discharged after serving 3 years, 6 months, and 14 days of active service.  In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-3202, Separation Documents, an individual’s initial term of service is determined by category of enlistment.  The DD Form 214 is prepared with the added remark, “Member (has) (has not) completed first full term of service.  In this case, during the applicant’s enlistment, he departed the service before his initial 4 year term was complete.  Therefore, the statement, “Member has not completed first full term of service” was appropriately included in the remarks section of his DD Form 214.  The applicant did not provide any evidence that his DD Form 214 was not in compliance with directives, prove any injustice, or clarify how the statement has penalized him.  The DD Form 214 was prepared under equitable guidance that is applied across all branches of service.  

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 24 June 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.  

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; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  We note that AFPC/ DP3SP has verified the applicant’s entitlement to the SWASM w/1BSS and KLM-K.  As well as, AFPC/DPAPP has verified and confirmed the applicant’s boots on ground foreign service time at Dhahran Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  As such, his records will be corrected administratively.  Therefore, in view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting any relief beyond that rendered administratively.  

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-2015-03324 in Executive Session on 9 August 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-03324 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 July 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 6 June 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 24 June 2016.