RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-02917

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect service in the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand. 

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He wishes to prove he was in Vietnam on 11 Sep 72 and 12 Sep 72.  He performed two weeks of temporary duty (TDY) in Thailand and stopped at two bases in Vietnam.  He has a postcard dated 10 Sep 72, sent home from Hong Kong China.  His comments on the postcard indicate he was leaving for Vietnam the following day.   

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a former Air Force sergeant (E-4).

On 16 Aug 76, the applicant was released from active duty and furnished a DD Form 214.  He was credited with five years active service and two years, two months, and five days of Foreign Service during the period of 17 Aug 71 through 16 Aug 76.  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and 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.  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, they 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.  Based on a review of the military personnel record and the information provided, they were able to verify and confirm Foreign Service in the Republic of the Philippines but unable to verify any Foreign Service in the Republic of Vietnam or Thailand.  

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 30 Sep 21 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/DP3AM and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

4.  The applicant has not shown a personal appearance, with or without counsel, would materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.  

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-2021-02917 in Executive Session on 17 May 22:

, 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 22 Aug 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 29 Sep 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 30 Sep 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.