RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-05053

	COUNSEL:

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, be corrected to reflect time served in Vietnam.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His records need to be corrected in order for him to obtain VA benefit entitlements.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 1 Dec 86, the applicant retired as an Air Force technical sergeant and was credited with 20 years and 23 days of active service to include 6 years and 1 month foreign service.

Per AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, the applicant was the recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star (VSM w/1BSS).

Per AF Form 7, the applicant was TDY-SEA from 05 Sep 67 thru 20 May 68, 126 days.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the application.  The applicant’s Master Personnel Records reflect a temporary duty assignment in Southeast Asia; however, AFPC/DP3AM was unable to verify the exact location of this duty to reflect the applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

The VSM is awarded to all service members of the armed forces who between 4 Jul 65 and 28 Mar 73, served in the following areas of Southeast Asia; Vietnam and the contiguous waters and airspace; Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia; or the airspace thereof and in the direct support of military operations in Vietnam.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 05 Jun 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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 that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3AM and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

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-2016-05053 in Executive Session on 11 Jul 18:

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 12 Dec 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 02 Apr 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 05 Jun18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9. Docket Number BC-2016-05053