RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-01179

	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, block 18, Remarks, be corrected to reflect status as a Somalia and Bosnia veteran. 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His DD Form 214 should reflect his theaters of operation (Somalia and Bosnia) for the purpose of posterity.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 27 Oct 92 and was discharged on 26 Oct 96.  He was credited with 1 year, 11 months and 4 days of Foreign Service.

For the period ending 15 Feb 96, AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSgt), states the applicant “Deployed to Tuzla AB, Bosnia-Herzegonvina [sic], as part of the 4100th Provisional Group/621 TALCE initial enabling force during Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR.”

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSTM recommends denying the application.  Based on the governing policy directives for completion of the DD Form 214, there is no error in regards to block 18 of the applicant’s DD Form 214.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 8 May 18 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 9 May 18.  In his response, the applicant reiterates that he would like an accurate reflection of his Foreign Service and provides a copy of his NATO medal certificate for Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR, and photos from his deployments.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

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 and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2STM and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s stated request.  However, based on the comments in his AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSgt) for the period ending 15 Feb 96, which states he “Deployed to Tuzla AB, Bosnia-Herzegonvina [sic], as part of the 4100th Provisional Group/621 TALCE initial enabling force during Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR,” the Board finds it more likely than not the applicant served in Bosnia.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he had boots on ground at Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia-Herzegovina.  However, regarding the remainder of the applicant’s request, the Board recommends the applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice and the application could 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-2017-01179 in Executive Session on 21 Jun 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 1 Mar 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DPSTM, w/atchs, dated 3 May 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 8 May 18.
Exhibit E: Applicant’s response to Advisory, w/atchs, dated 9 May 18.

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