RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-04069

XXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Item 12f., Record of Service, Foreign Service, reflect accurate foreign service time.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He was stationed in Saudi Arabia from Sep 90-Feb 91.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Regular Air Force senior airman (E-4).

AF Form 104, Service Medal Award Verification, signed by Personal Affairs Specialist on 5 Jun 92, reflects the applicant was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal for service in Saudi Arabia.  However, records received from the National Personnel Records Center contain minimal records and no documents confirming the applicant’s inclusive dates for service in Saudi Arabia.

On 3 Jan 20, AFPC/DP3AM (Assignment Policy) was able to verify the applicant’s boots-on-ground service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; however, they are unable to determine inclusive dates.  Since specific locations are not annotated on the DD Form 214 the applicant was provided a letter as proof of “boots-on-ground” for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

Total Force Personnel Services Delivery (PSD) Guide, DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Table 5, How to Prepare the DD Form 214, Block 12f, Foreign Service:  Total foreign service during continuous active military service for the period of time the DD Form 214 is published.  Includes service in Alaska and Hawaii and other areas outside CONUS.  This includes any period of TDY of 1 day or more (see Note 10).  Any source document may be used that shows actual time a member was overseas, except TDY orders (they give projected start/end dates and does not confirm actual travel).  For ARC members mobilized, use those dates the member was actually deployed in the overseas area of responsibility (AOR). 

Note 10:  DD Form 214 must be completed in accordance with Table 5 and AFI 36-3202, Separation Documents, with the following exceptions for each Split Training Option DD Form 214 (see below): 
Block 12a - Date entered technical school 
Block 12b - Date separated technical school 
Block 12c - Technical school active duty time only 
Block 12d - BMT active time only 

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

On 13 Jan 20, the applicant was provided the boots-on-ground letter, which stated AFPC was unable to determine inclusive dates (Exhibit C).  The applicant was notified to provide additional supporting documents within 30 days, and the applicant replied on 18 Feb 20.  In his response the applicant provided the names of some airmen he deployed with, and a portion of another member’s DD Form 214.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit D.

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.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, and Air Force guidance, in judging the merits of the case.  Based on the available evidence, it appears the record is consistent with Air Force policy.  The Board 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).  The Board does not find it in the interest of justice to waive the three-year filing requirement.  Therefore, the Board finds the application untimely and recommends against correcting the applicant’s records, beyond that rendered administratively.

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-2019-04069 in Executive Session on 6 May 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/atchs, dated 9 Aug 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Notification of Boots on Ground, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 13 Jan 20.
Exhibit D:	Applicant’s response, dated 18 Feb 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.