RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-02942

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, Block 30, Remarks, be corrected to reflect:

a.	Foreign Service in the Philippines. 
(administratively corrected with Boots on Ground letter)

b.	Foreign Service in Vietnam.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

As a jet engine mechanic, he would often fly in and out of different countries.  His main base in Vietnam was Cam Ranh, but he would fly from there to other places as well.     

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force sergeant (E-4).

On 15 Dec 66, the applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force.

For reporting period 15 Dec 67 thru 14 Jun 68, the applicant was issued an AF Form 910, TSGT, SSGT and SGT Performance Report, while assigned to the 463d Field Maintenance Squadron at Clark Air Base (AB), Philippines.   In section V, Comments of Reporting Official, the applicant’s rater states, “He was 55 days TDY in the 834th Air Division Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.”

On 10 Aug 70, the applicant was discharged and credited with one year and one day of Foreign Service time.  

According to AF Form 6, DD Form 214/215 Action Order, AFPC found that the applicant served in the Republic of Philippines from 11 May 69 to 9 Aug 70 and will administratively correct the applicant’s Foreign Service time on his DD Form 214 to reflect one year and three months.    

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1336.1, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series) dated 20 August 2009, which establishes and implements policy for the preparation and distribution of the DD Form 214, does not include a provision for update of TDY assignments/locations on the DD Form 214.  AFI 36-2110, Assignments, dated 22 September 2009, paragraph 3.4.4.3, states; use a combination of the following documents to verify completed TDY assignments: travel vouchers, PCS orders, decoration citations, enlisted or officer performance reports and records review Report on Individual Personnel (RIP).  

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the applicant’s request for Foreign Service time in Vietnam.  A review of the applicant’s master personnel records confirmed Foreign Service in the Republic of the Philippines, but not the Republic of Vietnam. 

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 8 Oct 19 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 the victim of an error or injustice.  While the Board notes the recommendation of AFPC/DP3AM against correcting the record, the Board finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions in part.  Specifically, the applicant’s official military human resource record (MHRR) includes a copy of AF Form 910, TSGT, SSGT and SGT Performance Report, for period of report 15 Dec 67 thru 14 Jun 68, which states in section V, Comments of Reporting Official, that, “he was 55 days TDY in the 834th Air Division Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.”  This evidence is sufficient to grant a Boots on Ground (BOG) letter that shows Foreign Service in Vietnam.  However, for the remainder of the applicant’s request, the evidence presented did not demonstrate an error or injustice, and the Board therefore finds no basis to recommend granting that portion of the applicant’s request.  As such, the Board notes that Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1336.1, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series) dated 20 Aug 09, does not include a provision for update of TDY assignments/locations on the DD Form 214.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show he had boots on the ground in Vietnam within the time period of December 1967 and June 1968.

However, regarding the remainder of the applicant’s request, the Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will 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-2019-02942 in Executive Session on 18 Mar 20:

	, Panel Chair 
	, Panel Member
	, Panel Member

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, dated 2 May 19.  
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 4 Oct 19.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 8 Oct 19.

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.