RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00778 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to show he was in Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam from 24 January 1968 to 24 March 1968. ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He is applying for health benefits for exposure to Agent Orange and his DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, does not show his duty in Vietnam. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, and a letter from the National Personnel Records Center. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ___________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant was enlisted in the Regular Air Force from 22 July 1966 to 21 July 1970. He was progressively promoted to the grade of Staff Sergeant/E-5. His AF Form 7 reflects he served in the Philippines from 27 February 1967 to 26 March 1968. He was credited with 1 year and 1 month of Foreign Service during his enlistment. On 25 April 2011, the applicant responded to DPAPP, stating that he was unable to find additional documents showing his time in Vietnam. He states that he was assigned to 463 FMS, Marten Isle, Philippines and was TDY to Saigon, Tan Son Nhut Air Base from about 24 January 1968 to 24 March 1968. ___________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial. DPAPP is unable to confirm the applicant spent any time in Vietnam based on his Master Personnel Records and requested additional information from the applicant. The complete DPAPP evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C. ___________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 20 May 2011 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has received no response. ___________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 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 and the available evidence of record 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 that the applicant’s records do not reflect he spent time in Vietnam. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ___________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS 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-2011-00778 in Executive Session on 9 August 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Feb 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 31 Mar 11, w/atchs. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 May 11. Panel Chair