RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02584 

						COUNSEL:  NONE

 						HEARING DESIRED:  YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:	

His Home of Record (HOR) be changed from Columbus, GA to Opelika, AL.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

There was an injustice on his initial enlistment.  He attempted to enlist in the Air Force from his Alabama address.  However, after six failed attempts to speak to a recruiter, he went to Columbus, GA to meet with a recruiter where he was able to enlist in less than two hours.  He listed his HOR as Columbus, GA because he believed it was required since he was enlisting in GA.  He was discriminated against by the recruiters at the Alabama recruiting station.  During his six visits, there were six black males that entered the recruiting station who were all afforded a meeting with the recruiter and permitted to process for enlistment while he was never given an opportunity to meet with a recruiter.  

He wanted to join the Air Force from his home in Alabama.  After serving on active duty for 24 years, he would like this injustice due to discrimination be corrected.  He would like his children to benefit from Alabama’s education program.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 28 February 1992 and retired on 1 April 2017 in the grade of SMSgt (SMSgt, E-8).  He was credited with 25 years, 1 month and 3 days of active duty service.  

According to his initial DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United States, dated 11 October 1991, the applicant’s HOR is recorded as Columbus, GA.   

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, issued in conjunction with his retirement also reflects his HOR as Columbus, GA.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility, which are attached at Exhibits C and D.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRS/RSO states they are not able to determine the proper HOR beyond what is listed on his original DD Form 4, Section A, Enlistee/Reenlistee Identification Data, Item 3, Home of Record, as it has been nearly 25 years since his initial enlistment.  AFRS does not maintain physical records nor have access to electronic records dating back to 1991.   

A complete copy of the AFRS/RSO evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP2LT recommends denial.  The applicant provided no documentation to show his address when he enlisted was the address he is requesting.  The applicant’s DD Form 4 shows the Georgia address and his DD Form 398, Personnel Security Questionnaire, dated 12 August 1992, also shows the Georgia address as of 1 October 1991, which was prior to his DD Form 4 dated 11 October 1991.   

The authority governing the HOR is contained in the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR).  The JTR states, “HOR is the place recorded as the individual’s home when commissioned, appointed, enlisted, inducted, or ordered into a tour of active duty.  Only if a break in service exceeds one full day may the member change the HOR.”   

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2LT evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 6 February 2017 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application was timely filed.

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 in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  With respect to the applicant’s contention that he was discriminated against by recruiters at the Alabama recruiting station at the time of his initial enlistment in 1992, other than the applicant’s own uncorroborated assertions, we find no evidence this to be the case.  In view of the above, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

THE BOARD DETERMINES 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-2016-02584 in Executive Session on 7 September 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02584 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, signed 23 May 16.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFRS/RSO, dated 2 September 2016.	
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2LT, dated 6 September 2016,
			  w/atchs.			
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 6 February 2017.