RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-02950
	COUNSEL:  NONE
   
	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS:

Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected by removing the 2 months and 22 days of Inactive Service reflected in block 12e, and adding 2 months and 22 days of Foreign Service in block 12f.

APPLICANT CONTENDS:

She never had any inactive service, but she did serve overseas in both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 3 Dec 97, the applicant was honorably discharged, and her discharge certificate reflected 2 months and 22 days of Total Prior Inactive Service in Block 12e, no Foreign Service in Block 12f, and award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in Block 13. 

The Armed Force Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, after 1 Jul 58, participated in United States Military operations in direct support of the United Nations or in assistance to a friendly foreign nation.  The AFEM may be awarded to members who, after 1 Jul 58, participated in operations where hostile action was imminent, as determined by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  Service members must have been permanently assigned, attached, or detailed to a unit that participated in or engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the designated area of eligibility or 60 non-consecutive days.  

On 25 Oct 16, AFPC/DP3SM provided the applicant a “Boots on the Ground (BOG)” letter confirming her foreign service at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, but notifying her they could not determine the exact dates of her deployment.  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisories at Exhibits C and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2LT does not make a recommendation concerning the applicant’s request to remove her Inactive Service credit from her DD Form 214, but defers to AFPC/DP2STM to determine if the applicant’s time in the delayed entry/enlistment program (DEP) counts as Inactive Service.  The applicant enlisted into the United States Air Force Reserves (USAFR) in the DEP on 23 Sep 92 and was discharged on 14 Dec 92 with an immediate enlistment into the regular Air Force on 15 Dec 92.  She spent 2 months, and 22 days in the USAFR DEP.  Time spent in DEP is not creditable for pay purposes but is counted toward fulfillment of the eight-year military service obligation.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP2STM recommends denying the application.  In regards to the applicant’s DD Form 214, block 12e “Total Prior Inactive Service,” DP2LT states the applicant was in the DEP for 2 months and 22 days from 23 Sep 92 to 14 Dec 92.  The DEP is required to be listed IAW AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, table 4, rule 19, and matches what is reflected on her DD Form 214.  Therefore, there is no error in Block 12e. 

Based on the AFPC/DP3AM BOG letter, dated 25 Oct 16, their office could not determine the dates or the exact amount of deployment with which to credit the applicant with foreign-service.  Therefore, the DD Form 214 would be correct as it reflects “00 00 00” in block 12f.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluations to the applicant on 21 Sep 17 for comment (Exhibit E), and the applicant replied on 28 Sep 17, taking exception to the recommendations to deny her request to add foreign-service time to her DD Form 214.  She submits additional evidence in support of her claim, providing an AF Form 77, Supplemental Evaluation Sheet, dated 8 Jul 96, from Kuwait covering the period 3 May 96 through 16 Jul 96; a Department of the Air Force letter, dated 17 Jul 96, indicating her unit was at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait; her Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Certificate; and, a Certificate of Appreciation, indicating an overseas tour from 3 May 96 through 17 Jul 96.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was timely filed.  

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2STM.  The Board notes the OPR administratively corrected the applicant's record based on the evidence she provided in her rebuttal confirming her service time in Kuwait during the period 3 May 96 through 17 Jul 96, for 2 months and 15 days.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records further.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-02950 in Executive Session on 9 May 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atch, dated 19 Jul 16
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2LT, dated 18 Aug 17.
Exhibit D:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 7 Sep 17.
Exhibit E:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 21 Sep 17.
Exhibit F:	Applicant’s response, dated 28 Sep 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.