Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Hostile area service

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/14/2009


Question
Hello Mark,

While in the Army in the 80's I was dispatched to a Central American site to provide transport operations under TDY orders. I considered the area a hostile or combat environment.  This operation does not show up on my DD Form 214. How can I determine if this is an error in my discharge paperwork, and if so how can I get it corrected?

Thank You,


Answer
Rene,
Since you were only TDY it won't show up.  This is only going to be important if you're trying to make a claim to the VA relating this period of service to some compensable disease.  Or maybe if you're trying to get a civilian job with a company who needs expertise in that area.  In either case, there are TDY orders in your records that prove this.  It won't necessarily be on a DD214.

You need to obtain a copy of your records.  Go to  the National Archives web site at for detailed info on how to obtain them.
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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