RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  99-00099
		INDEX NUMBER:  111.01; 131.01

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to show that his Primary Air Force Specialty Code (PAFSC) is 46PX and that he be reconsidered for continuation by the Selective Continuation Board which convened in Dec 98.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He has been a certified mental health nurse since X Sep 94, but AFSC 46PX was never added to his record.  He was told that because his unit did not have a mental health service, it was not necessary.  He is a twice-deferred captain and discovered his specialty is a mission-critical skill, requiring maximum retention efforts.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided a letter from HQ Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) requesting award of AFSC 46PX, dated XX Nov 98; his certification as a psychiatric and mental health nurse by the American Nurses Credentialing Center from X Sep 94 to XX Aug 99; and a message from AFRC, dated XX Oct 98 (Exhibit A).

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was appointed a second lieutenant, Nurse Corps, Reserve of the Air Force, on XX Dec 89.  He was promoted to the Reserve grade of captain, effective 18 Sep 91.  The applicant’s duty title on all of his Officer Performance Reports (OPR) from XX Dec 89 through XX Jan 99, was that of clinical nurse.  He was relieved from his assignment on XX Aug 98, and transferred to NARS/NA status, effective XX Sep 98.  As of Retirement Year Ending (RYE) XX Dec 98, he was credited with 12 years, 11 months and 29 days of satisfactory Federal service.  Information extracted from the Personnel Data System (PDS) indicates that the applicant’s duty and primary AFSC was 46N3, clinical nurse.  On XX Feb 99, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of SSgt.  His duty AFSC is 4N051, medical service journeyman, and he is an active Reserve participant.

Applicant's OPR profile follows:

	PERIOD ENDING	EVALUATION

	 5 May 91	Meets Standards
	 5 May 92	Meets Standards
	 5 May 93	Meets Standards
	 5 May 94	Meets Standards
	 5 May 95	Meets Standards
	 5 May 96	Meets Standards
	 5 May 97	Meets Standards
	 5 May 98	Meets Standards
	30 Jan 99	Meets Standards

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Director of Personnel Program Management, ARPC/DP, reviewed this application and recommended denial.  While the applicant may have performed duties as a mental health nurse, he never possessed that AFSC during any of the promotion boards that considered him.  His officer selection folder (OSF) contains no information that he ever performed duties as a mental health nurse, and there are no authorized positions for a mental health nurse at his assigned unit.  

The FY99 Reserve of the Air Force Major Promotion Selection Board was announced on X Aug 98, at which time the applicant was identified as being twice deferred for promotion to major in his only AFSC, 46N3--clinical nurse.  On 22 Oct 98, the Secretary of the Air Force approved a Selective Continuation Board for twice deferred captains and majors within the Selected Reserve.  

On 26 Oct 98, ARPC sent a message to all active and Reserve flights notifying them of the criteria for a Selective Continuation Board.  One of the criteria was that the member must possess a primary AFSC identified as mission critical.  On 27 Oct 98, all eligibles were sent a letter notifying them that the board’s convening date was 2 Dec 98, and that they had until 15 Nov 98 to apply.  The applicant was not notified of eligibility for continuation because he did not posses the primary AFSC of mental health nurse.  On 17 Nov 98, after the continuation board was announced, the Classification and Retraining Program Manager for the AFRC requested award of AFSC 46PX to the applicant based on his civilian experience.  While his records now reflect the mental health nurse AFSC, it is only as a secondary AFSC and still would not afford him the opportunity for continuation.

Currently, there are no provisions in law for a special selection board (SSB) for continuation.  If the AFBCMR disagrees with the recommendation, the applicant’s request for SSB for the FY99 Reserve Selective Continuation Board will be held on file, pending legislative authorization.  A complete copy of ARPC/DP’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant states that the primary AFSCs for doctors and nurses reflect the AFSC in which they are most qualified even though there may be no authorized positions at their assigned units.  He was unaware until Nov 98, that mental health nurse is a specific Air Force specialty that has a critical mission shortage.  He is fully qualified to perform the duties of mental health nurse.  The applicant submitted a statement from his commander indicating he performed duties as a mental health nurse while on annual tours and two statements from the XXXXX, Personnel Employment, XXXXX AFB.  Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.  On reaching this conclusion, we noted the efforts of the applicant and his supervisor to update his records to reflect 46P3 (Mental Health Nurse) as his primary AFSC.  However, due to an inordinate delay in the processing of the request and the failure of the XXXX XXXX Section at his base of assignment to ensure that the update was properly reflected in a timely manner, he was not identified as an officer who was eligible for consideration by the Reserve Selective Continuation Board.  Because he was not identified as an eligible, he did not receive notification of eligibility and was not afforded the opportunity to apply for continuation.  Inasmuch as the Air Force identified the 46P specialty as a mission-critical skill requiring maximum retention efforts, and the applicant is certified as a psychiatric and mental health nurse, it is in the best interest of the Air Force to reconsider him for continuation.  Therefore, provided the applicant meets all other criteria for consideration by a Selective Continuation Board, we recommend that his record be corrected as indicated below.  

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that:

	a.	He was awarded Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 46P3, effective 4 November 1998.

	b.	On 15 November 1999, he applied for consideration for continuation by the Reserve Selective Continuation Board, which convened on 2-3 December 1998, and his application was approved by competent authority;

It is further recommended that the applicant’s corrected record be considered for continuation by a Special Selection Board for the December 1998 Reserve Selective Continuation Board, and if he is selected for continuation by the Special Selection Board, the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records be notified at the earliest practicable date so that all necessary and appropriate actions may be completed.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 16 November 1999, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 Jan 99, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ ARPC/DP, dated 17 Mar 99.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 5 Apr 99.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 11 Apr 99, w/atchs.