RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-02867

XXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to show her deployment to Saudi Arabia.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

Her DD Form 214, does not show her deployment to Saudi Arabia.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former Air Force Reserve staff sergeant (E-5).

On 17 Jan 97, Special Order TE-141, was issued to the applicant, to participate in Operation DESERT STORM (XXXXXXX), with a proceed on or about date of 27 Jan 97.

On 29 Jan 97, Standard Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care (XXXXth Air Transportable Hospital, XXXXXXX Air Base, APO AE 09882), provided by the applicant, indicates she arrived in the AOR [Area of Responsibility.]

On 1 May 97, the applicant was issued a certificate awarding her the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the period 29 Jan 97 through 1 May 97, for her outstanding service as a Passenger Service Specialist in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in XXXXX Air Base, XXXXXXX. 

On 14 May 00, according to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, the applicant was honorably released from active duty and was credited with 3 months and 4 days of Foreign Service. 

On 20 Apr 21, AFPC/DP3AM published a letter informing the applicant they were able to verify and confirm her boots on ground foreign service time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but were unable to determine the inclusive dates of this service.  AFPC/DP3AM stated that since specific locations are not annotated on a member’s DD Form 214, the applicant should use this letter, as proof of “boots on ground” in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Exhibit F).

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the applicant’s request to correct her DD Form 214 to show Foreign Service time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  A review of her Military Human Resource Records (MHRR) and documentation submitted failed to provide any proof that substantiates Foreign Service time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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 4 Mar 21 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 23 Mar 21.  In her response, the applicant submitted documents confirming her deployment time in Saudi Arabia to include medical records, deployment orders and an award.  

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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/DP3AM and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions to warrant changing her DD Form 214 to show Foreign Service time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  As noted in AFPC/DP3AM’s letter dated 20 Apr 21, specific locations are not annotated on a member’s DD Form 214; therefore, the applicant should use the letter, as proof of “boots on ground” in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  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.

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-2020-02867 in Executive Session on 22 Apr 21:

, 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 8 Jul 20.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 26 Feb 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 4 Mar 21.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s response, w/atchs, dated 23 Mar 21.
Exhibit F: Letter to Applicant, AFPC/DP3AM (BOG Letter), dated 20 Apr 21.

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.