ADDENDUM TO RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01980-2

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, issued on 1 Jul 74, be updated in Block 19, Indochina or Korea Service Since August 5, 1964, to reflect “Yes.”

RESUME OF THE CASE

The applicant is a former staff sergeant (E-5) who served in the Regular Air Force.  On 1 Jul 74, the applicant was honorably discharged and was credited with 7 years, 10 months and 11 days of active service.  He was not credited with Foreign Service for this period.  His DD Form 214 issued on 1 Jul 74, Block 19, Indochina or Korea Service since August 5, 1964, reflects “No.”

On 12 Apr 16, the Board considered and denied the applicant’s request to update his DD Form 214,  issued on 1 Jul 74, to read "Yes" in Block 19.  AFPC/DPAPP (Assignment Policy) noted that although the applicant’s AF Form 7, Airman Military Record, reflected a temporary duty (TDY) assignment to Southeast Asia from 2 Jul 68 to 3 Oct 68, for 94 days, they could not determine the exact location of the TDY.  The Board determined the applicant’s records revealed he had two DD Forms 214, each carrying its own weight as a record for a specific period of active duty.  As such the Foreign Service time was appropriately annotated on each DD Form 214.  AFPC/DP1SP did determine the applicant’s eligibility for the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the applicant’s record was administratively corrected.

For an accounting of the applicant’s original request and the rationale of the earlier decision, see the AFBCMR Letter and Record of Proceedings at Exhibit F.

On 15 Nov 19, the applicant requested reconsideration.  He again contends his records should be corrected to reflect service in Vietnam.  He had a TDY assignment to Tuy Hoa Air Base (AB), Republic of Vietnam from 2 Jul 68 to 3 Oct 68.  His current status with the Department of Veterans Affairs does not recognize his in-country assignment to the Republic of Vietnam.

As new evidence, the applicant provides a copy of Special Order No. T-347, dated 24 Jun 68, projecting him for a temporary duty assignment from Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas to Tuy Hoa AB, Republic of Vietnam for approximately 90 days, with a proceed on or about date of 2 Jul 68.  The purpose of the TDY was to participate as a member of Aerial Survey Team #3.

In addition, the following evidence found in the applicant’s Military Human Resource Record was not provided to the previous Board:	On 18 Jun 68, according to SF 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care, the applicant was medically cleared for his TDY to AST 3 [Aerial Survey Team# 3].

On 14 Oct 20, AFPC/DP3STM (Assignment Policy) informed the applicant they were able to verify he served in the Republic of Vietnam from 2 Jul 68 to 3 Oct 68, for 3 months and 4 days.  The amount of Foreign Service reflected on his DD Form 214 for the period 21 Sep 66 through 20 Sep 70 is correct; therefore, a correction is not required.  Since specific locations are not annotated on a member’s DD Form 214, the applicant was informed he may use their letter as proof of boots-on-ground in the Republic of Vietnam.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit G.

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

Title 10, United States Code, Section 1168: Discharge or release from active duty: limitation; DoDI 1336.01, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series); AFI 36-3202, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series); DD Form 214 Total Force Personnel Services Delivery Guide.  The DD Form 214 is prepared in accordance with the aforementioned publications and is used to record qualifying active duty service.  Foreign Service locations are not an authorized entry on the DD Form 214.  Foreign Service is annotated in increments of years, months, and days.

The Air Force Personnel Center Assignment Policy Directorate (AFPC/DP3AM) is responsible for determining an Air Force member’s Foreign Service.  Since specific locations are not annotated on the DD Form 214, they will prepare a Boots-on-Ground letter if they are able to verify a member served at a specific foreign location.  This letter may be used to validate overseas service. 

Air Force Manual 35-5, Separation Documents and General Separation Procedures, dated 18 Jun 71.  Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignments to Indochina, Vietnam, or Korea, on or after 5 Aug 64, are recorded on the DD Form 214, block 19, as Yes or No.  A review of the applicant's military records and supporting documentation does not show he had a PCS assignment in Vietnam.  While he may have had boots-on-ground in a TDY capacity while stationed at another location, the military records do not indicate being stationed in Vietnam.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board remains unconvinced the evidence presented demonstrates an error or injustice.  Specifically, as noted above, there is no evidence the applicant had a PCS assignment to the Republic of Vietnam; therefore a change to Block 19 is not warranted.  The Board also notes that AFPC/DP3AM found sufficient evidence the applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam for 3 months and 4 days, which is already annotated on his DD Form 214 dated 20 Sep 70.  Furthermore, they informed the applicant he may use the boots-on-ground letter they provided him as verification of his service in the Republic of Vietnam.  Accordingly, other than the administrative correction to his record, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

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-2015-01980-2 in Executive Session on 22 Oct 20:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member 
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit F:	Record of Proceedings, w/ Exhibits A-E, dated 24 May 16.
Exhibit G:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 15 Nov 19.
Exhibit H:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.

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