RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00195

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM, 1 OLC) awarded for the period 10 December 1996 through 10 December 1999 be considered in the promotion process for cycle 00E5.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The decoration was submitted long before the Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD) and date of selections for cycle 00E5 and should have been considered to have been placed into official channels on 19 February 2000.

The applicant states that his decoration package was misplaced during a DoD directed mission downsizing of the detachment.  Due to the sudden loss of personnel there was a 400% increase in decoration processing at the detachment.  At the same time, the squadron was implementing a new automated tracking system.  Although the RDP date was corrected to reflect 19 February 2000, he has been denied supplemental promotion consideration because the recommendation was not placed into official channels until after selections for cycle 00E5.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits statements from the wing, group and squadron commanders, a copy of the RDP, and AFPC’s response to his supplemental promotion request.

The wing commander states that the unit intended to award the applicant the decoration prior to staff sergeant selections; however, the unit commander inadvertently did not sign the RDP until 26 July 2000 due to the large number of decorations processed as a result of the detachment’s downsizing.

The applicant’s complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of senior airman (E-4).

On 19 February 2000, an RDP was prepared for the purpose of recommending the applicant for award of an AFAM based on completion of an extended tour.  The RDP was initiated on 22 February 2000.

Promotion selections for cycle 00E5 were made on 10 July 2000 and announced on 19 July 2000.  The total weighted promotion score required for selection in the applicant's Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 243.91.  The applicant's total weighted promotion score was 243.57.  The Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD) was 31 March 2000.

On 26 July 2000, the RDP was signed by the squadron commander and placed into official channels.

55th Mission Support Squadron, Special Order GB-00279, dated 28 August 2000, awarded the applicant the AFAM, 1 OLC, for the period 10 December 1996 through 10 December 1999.  The AFAM  is worth one point in the computation of a members total weighted promotion score.

For a decoration to be eligible for consideration in a promotion cycle, the close-out date of the decoration must be on or before the PECD, and the date of the RDP must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.

On 25 September 2000, the Promotion Management Section at AFPC denied the applicant’s request for supplemental promotion consideration for cycle 00E5 because the decoration recommendation was not placed into official channels until after selections for cycle 00E5.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The Chief, Recognition Programs Branch, AFPC/DPPPR, reviewed this application and states that the RDP was signed by the recommending official on 26 July 2000 and the order published on 28 August 2000.  This shows that the package took at least one month to be processed through administrative channels.  A recommendation is considered to have been placed in official channels when the recommending official signs the RDP and the next higher official in the chain of command endorses it.  If the RDP was requested on 19 February 2000, it is not feasible that the entire recommendation package could be typed, assembled, signed by the recommending offical and endorsed by the next higher official on the same day.  Therefore, they believe that, had the package not been misplaced, the RDP would have been signed and endorsed on or about 1 April 2000.  Administrative delays are normal, and are considered part of the process in awarding a decoration.  They, therefore, recommend denial of applicant’s request, but if the Board decides to grant the request they recommend the RDP be considered to have been signed and endorsed on 1 April 2000.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

The Chief, Inquiries/AFBCMR Section, AFPC/DPPPWB, reviewed this application and states that Air Force promotion policy dictates that before a decoration is credited for a specific promotion cycle, the close-out date of the decoration must be on or before the PECD, and the RDP must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.  In addition, a decoration that a member claims was lost, downgraded, etc., must be fully documented and verified that it was placed into official channels prior to the selection date.  The decoration does not meet the criteria for promotion credit during the 00E5 cycle because there is no tangible evidence the decoration was placed into official channels prior to the date selections for the 00E5 cycle were made.  Exceptions to the above policy are only considered when the airman can support a previous submission with documentation or statements including conclusive evidence that the recommendation was officially placed in military channels within the prescribed time limit and conclusive evidence the recommendation was not acted upon through loss or inadvertence.  In accordance with AFI 36-2803, paragraph 3.1, a decoration is considered to have been placed in official channels when the decoration recommendation is signed by the initiating official and indorsed by a higher official in the chain of command.  Documentation included in the applicant’s case file reflects the decoration was not officially placed into military channels until after selections for the 00E5 cycle were accomplished.  While they are acutely aware of the impact this recommendation has on the applicant's career, the fact is the decoration was not submitted until after selections for this cycle were made.  To approve the applicant's request would not be fair or equitable to many others in the same situation who miss promotion selection by a narrow margin and are not entitled to have an "after the fact" decoration count in the promotion process. Therefore, they recommend denial of his request.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

In further support of the appeal applicant’s wing and group commanders have provided additional statements which are attached at Exhibit F.

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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.  In this respect, we note that the applicant was awarded the AFAM, 1 OLC, for the period 10 December 1996 through 10 December 1999.  Although the close-out date of the decoration is before the PECD, and the date of the RDP is prior to the date of selections for cycle 00E5, the Promotion Management Section at AFPC denied the applicant’s request for supplemental promotion consideration because the decoration recommendation was not placed into official channels until after selections.  The applicant’s wing commander has provided a statement indicating that the unit intended to award him the decoration prior to selections and requested an RDP on 19 February 2000; however, the unit commander inadvertently did not sign the RDP until 26 July 2000 due to the large number of decorations processed as a result of the detachment’s downsizing.  Since the delay in the processing of the award was through no fault of the applicant, and the actions performed were completed prior to selections, we believe the award should be considered in the promotion process for cycle 00E5.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent 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 the Recommendation for Decoration Printout for the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster awarded for the period 10 December 1996 through 10 December 1999, was placed into official channels on 1 April 2000, rather than 24 August 2000.

It is further recommended that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of staff sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 00E5.  

If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application, that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the board for a final determination on the individual's qualification for the promotion.  

If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion the records shall be corrected to show that he was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that he is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date. 

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 22 May 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member
 			Examiner (without vote)

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

   	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 31 Jan 01, w/atchs.
  	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
  	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 27 Mar 01, w/atchs.
  	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 28 Mar 01, w/atchs.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 20 Apr 01.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, 55th CG/CC, dated 4 May 01, w/atch.

                                  
                                  Panel Chair 

AFBCMR 01-00195

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the Recommendation for Decoration Printout for the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster awarded for the period 10 December 1996 through 10 December 1999, was placed into official channels on 1 April 2000, rather than 24 August 2000.

	It is further directed that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of staff sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 00E5.  

	If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application, that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the board for a final determination on the individual's qualification for the promotion.  

	If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion the records shall be corrected to show that he was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that he is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.