RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-04824

XXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect Foreign Service in Thailand and Guam during the Vietnam war. 

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He was exposed to Agent Orange while stationed in Thailand and Guam but his DD Form 214 does not show this Foreign Service.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former sergeant (E-4) who served in the Regular Air Force from 3 Jul 72 to 2 Jul 76.  He was credited with one year of Foreign Service.

On 21 May 20, AFPC/DP3AM informed the applicant they were able to verify his boots-on-ground service in Thailand, but not Guam.  Since specific locations are not listed on the DD Form 214, the applicant was instructed to use the letter as proof of his boots-on-ground in Thailand.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

Title 10, United States Code, Section 1168: Discharge or release from active duty: limitation; DoDI 1336.01, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series); AFI 36-3202, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214/5 Series); DD Form 214 Total Force Personnel Services Delivery Guide.  The DD Form 214 is prepared in accordance with the aforementioned publications and is used to record qualifying active duty service.  However, Foreign Service locations are not an authorized entry on the DD Form 214.  Foreign Service is annotated in increments of years, months, and days.

The Air Force Personnel Center Assignment Policy Directorate (AFPC/DP3AM) is responsible for determining an Air Force member’s Foreign Service.  Since specific locations are not annotated on the DD Form 214, directorate personnel will prepare a Boots-on-Ground letter if they are able to verify a member served at a specific foreign location.  This letter may be used to validate overseas service.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the application.  A review of the applicant’s Master Personnel Records and documentation submitted failed to provide any documents that substantiate Foreign Service time in Guam.  

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 16 Mar 20 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3AM again recommends denying the application.  A review of the applicant’s records and documents submitted did not confirm service in Guam.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was 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/DP3AM and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, other than the Boots-on-Ground letter verifying the applicant’s service in Thailand, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, 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-2019-04824 in Executive Session on 8 May 20 and 2 Jun 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 24 Sep 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 9 Mar 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 16 Mar 20.
Exhibit E:	Additional Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 21 May 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.