RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-02418

XXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following:
 
	a. Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Long Tour (AFOR-LT) (Administratively corrected). 

	b. Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour (AFOR-ST).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He had a total of three overseas short tours and four overseas long tours throughout his career and would like the aforementioned ribbons added to his military record. 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a retired colonel (O-6). 

AF Forms 77, Company Grade Officer Effectiveness Report, for the reporting periods 2 Jun 62 - 30 Aug 66, reflect the applicant was stationed at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico.

AF Forms 707, Field Grade Officer Effectiveness Report, for the reporting periods 12 Feb 72 – 12 May 73, reflect the applicant was stationed at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. 

AF Forms 707, for the reporting periods 21 Apr 75 – 31 May 79, reflect the applicant was stationed at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

AF Forms 707, Officer Effectiveness Report, for the reporting periods 16 Jan 82 – 23 May 84, reflects he was stationed Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.

On 21 Jun 18, AFPC/DP3AM informed the applicant they were above to verify foreign service time in Puerto Rico, from 25 Jan 63 to 29 Aug 66, for 3 years, 7 months and 5 days; Thailand, from 29 May 72 to 30 May 73, for 1 year and 2 days; Hawaii, from 3 Jul 75 to 1 Aug 79, for 5 years, and from 28 Apr 82 to 31 Mar 85, for 2 years, 11 months and 4 days. 

On 28 Oct 19, according to DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, the AFOR-LT, was added to the applicant’s DD Form 214.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

AFMAN 36-2806, Awards, and Memorialization Program.  The Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short and Long Tour) was established on 12 Oct 80 to recognize completion of an overseas tour.  The ribbon was authorized to be awarded to Air Force and Air Force Reserve members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 80.  Only individuals serving on active duty as of 6 Jan 86 are eligible to have the Air Force Overseas Ribbon applied retroactively for completion of an overseas tour. 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying the application.  The applicant retired on 1 Apr 85 and in accordance with the governing regulation, the AFOR-ST is awarded to Air Force members credited with completion of an overseas tour on or after 1 Sep 80.  The applicant’s overseas tours were prior to the award establishment date; rendering him ineligible for the award.  However, they was able to verify the AFOR-LT and the applicant’s record been administratively corrected.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 2 Jun 20 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years of discovering the alleged error or injustice, as required by Section 1552 of Title 10, United States Code, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  While the applicant asserts a date of discovery within the three-year limit, the Board does not find the assertion supported by a preponderance of the evidence.  The Board does not find it in the interest of justice to waive the three-year filing requirement.  Therefore, other than the administrative correction to his record, the Board finds the application untimely and recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; 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-2017-02418 in Executive Session on 19 Nov 20:
Panel Chair
Panel Member
Panel Member

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atch, dated 25 Jul 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 20 May 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 2 Jun 20.

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.