RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-01531 

			COUNSEL:  NONE	
						
HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be amended to include his foreign service in Turkey.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He spent one (1) year in Turkey and would like it reflected on his DD Form 214.  He provides a copy of his AF Form 899, Request and Authorization for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) – Military, dated 29 April 1975, that reflects he was to report to his new unit of assignment in Turkey no later than 9 June 1975.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered active duty in the Regular Air Force on 4 January 1973.

On 3 December 1976, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with 3 years and 11 months of active service.   

According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, effective 3 December 1976, he had zero days of foreign service.

For further information, see the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (Exhibit C).    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPAPP was able to verify and confirm the applicant had boots on ground in Turkey, but cannot confirm the exact dates he served in Turkey.  Thus, they cannot update his foreign service.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He was sent to Turkey for a one-year tour from June 1975 to June 1976.  In addition to his PCS order, he provides a copy of his shot record, which shows he received shots on 30 October 1975 and 19 May 1976 while in Turkey, and an AF Form 1566, Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) Test Verification, which reflects his organization in Turkey as Detachment 150, Air Force Communications Service.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit E.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed.  The applicant indicates a 2014 date of discovery.  He does not explain why that date is reasonable, given his 3 December 1976 date of separation.  Nonetheless, because the Board believes the applicant has provided sufficient evidence of material error in his record, it is in the interests of justice to excuse the delay.

3.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant’s record contains material error.  AFPC/DPAPP has confirmed the applicant’s presence in Turkey, while the applicant himself has provided copies of his PCS order, shot record, and WAPS testing sheet, all confirming his presence in Turkey during the period of the PCS order.  Taken together, these pieces of evidence make it more likely than not that the applicant served in Turkey from 9 June 1975 through 8 June 1976.  As a result, we conclude his DD Form 214, which indicates no foreign service, is in error and should be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that his DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, effective 3 December 1976, Block 18 (f), FOREIGN AND OR SEA SERVICE THIS PERIOD, reflect 1 year of foreign service.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-01531 in Executive Session on 20 July 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 Apr 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 20 Jul 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 8 Nov 16.
	Exhibit E.  Letter from Applicant, dated 13 Dec 16, w/atchs.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings.