RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-03205

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 


________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to reflect he was authorized and awarded the foreign service ribbon.  

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His records indicate he was awarded an Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short Tour, but there is no mention of a foreign service ribbon for his service in the Philippines.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.  

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 31 Mar 89, the applicant was relieved from active duty and retired, effective 1 Apr 89, and was credited with 20 years and 3 months of total active service.   

On 14 Jan 14, AFPC/DPAPP notified the applicant that after a complete review of his official military records and the documentation he provided, they were able to verify and confirm his boots on ground foreign service time at Clark AB, Philippines, from 3 October 1970 to 3 January 1972, for 1 year, 3 months, and 1 day.  This amount of foreign service time is reflected on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty; therefore, a correction is not needed for foreign service.  However, since specific locations are not annotated on the DD Form 214, he was provided a letter documenting that he had “boots on ground” for the Republic of the Philippines.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility, which is attached at Exhibit C.   

________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no official award issued by the United States Government listed as a foreign service ribbon; therefore, verification could not be made of the applicant’s eligibility for the award.  Nevertheless, a thorough review of his official military personnel records revealed that he should have been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOUA w/1 BOLC) and the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (AFOEA w/1 BOLC); as such, the applicant’s records will be administratively corrected.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 24 Feb 14 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).  

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to his request for a foreign service ribbon.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  We note that AFPC/DPAPP has verified the applicant’s service in the Republic of the Philippines and provided him a “boots on the ground” letter to document said service.  However, as it appears the correct amount of foreign service time is reflected on his DD Form 214, no further correction is needed.  Therefore, absent any evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting any relief beyond that rendered administratively. 

________________________________________________________________


THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03205 in Executive Session on 8 Apr 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Jul 13.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSID, 12 Nov 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Feb 14.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair
3