RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00330
		INDEX CODE:  131.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The citation for the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) he was awarded for the period 27 August 1998 through 17 October 1998, be considered in the promotion process for cycle 00E9.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

On 21 November 2000, he discovered a Memorandum for Record in his Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) promotion folder that had been sent to his military personnel flight (MPF) on 6 October 2000 to correct discrepancies.  As of 21 November 2000, after the promotion board had closed, this information had still not been provided by his MPF.  Upon return to his duty station he contacted his MPF to determine what had taken place.  He discovered that this Memorandum for Record had not been acted on, rendering this information unavailable to the promotion board.  The omission of this data potentially had an adverse affect on his board score.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided the Memorandum For Record, dated 6 October 2000, the citation for the AFAM for the period 27 August 1998 to 17 October 1998, and e-mail messages.

Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of senior master sergeant.

The Chief Evaluation Board for the 00E9 promotion cycle convened on 23 October 2000.

Promotion selections for cycle 00E9 were announced on 3 November 2000.  The total promotion score required for selection in the applicant's Chief Enlisted Manager (CEM) code was 626.75.  The applicant's total promotion score was 605.66.

He was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) for the period 27 August 1998 through 17 October 1998.

The citation for the AFAM was not filed in the applicant’s selection folder when the board convened (23 October 2000).  The citation for the AFAM was filed in the applicant’s selection folder on 16 January 2001.  The Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) Evaluation Brief reflected the AFAM.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Chief, Inquiries/AFBCMR Section, Enlisted Promotion and Military Testing Branch, HQ AFPC/DPPPWB, reviewed the application and states that while the applicant believes the omission of the citation potentially had an adverse affect on his board score for cycle 00E9, this is not necessarily true.  Prior to determining what factors would warrant supplemental promotion consideration, several Evaluation Board members were queried in order to determine what they felt were valid reasons to authorize supplemental promotion consideration.  Based on their recommendations, the reasons outlined in AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion Program, Table 2.5 were developed.  In their opinion if a citation was not filed in the selection folder but the decoration was listed on the brief, it would not have impacted the individual’s board score.  Therefore, it was not included as an authorized reason for supplemental promotion consideration.  A review of the applicant’s HQ Air Force Selection Folder reflects that the citation for his AFAM was filed in his selection folder on 16 January 2001.  Although the citation for the subject decoration was not filed in his selection folder until after the board, it was reflected on the Senior NCO Evaluation Brief and reviewed by the Evaluation Board.  The Evaluation Board which convened 23 October 2000, reviewed his records and assigned the 337.50 board score with full knowledge of the decoration.  Based on this fact, the applicant was properly considered for promotion during cycle 00E9 and is not entitled nor authorized supplemental promotion consideration.  Therefore, they recommend denial of applicant’s request.

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

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and states that a servicing MPF fails to respond to an official AFPC request for required documents on eligible members should not negatively impact any member’s full promotion consideration.  In his case the original Memorandum for Record was generated on 6 October 2000.  The actual message was sent from AFPC for updates on four members on 20 October 2000, and was not responded to in a timely manner by the MPF at Seymour Johnson, AFB.  The evaluation states that the promotion folder was not corrected until 16 January 2001, well after the 00E9 board.  He agrees that it is not necessarily true that the omission of the citation adversely affected his board score, but its presence could have possibly lead to a higher board score based upon the areas outlined in AFPAM 36-2241, Vol.2.  An increase of .5 points per board member would equate to 22.5 points, or a 360 board score.  As indicated in paragraph b. of the discussion provided in the evaluation, he missed promotion by 21.34, with a board score of 337.50.  Records are scored on a scale of 6 to 10 and a 337.5 board score equates to an average rating of 7.5 per board member.  The AFAM can be and are awarded for a wide variety of reasons with varying degrees of accomplishments.  Without benefit of the actual citation it is not possible for board members to thoroughly evaluate breadth of experience, job responsibility, professional competence and the significance of specific achievements expressed in the verbiage of a citation.  The missing citation was awarded for a real-world Air Force mission, the first-ever deployment of F-15E aircraft to A1 Jaber Air Base, Kuwait in direct support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

Applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is attached 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.  The Air Force states that the citation for the Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) was not in the applicant’s Selection Folder (SF) when considered for promotion to grade of Chief Master Sergeant by the 00E9 evaluation board.  While it cannot be conclusively determined whether or not the missing citation was the sole reason for his nonselection, we believe that it served to deprive him of fair and equitable consideration.  In view of the foregoing, and in an effort to offset any possibility of an injustice, we recommend that applicant’s record, to include the citation to accompany the Air Force Achievement Medal for the period 27 August 1998 through 17 October 1998, be provided supplemental promotion consideration consisting of a mandatory rescoring of his corrected record against the appropriate benchmark records.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, to include the citation to accompany the Air Force Achievement Medal for the period 27 August 1998 through 17 October 1998 be provided supplemental promotion consideration to the grade of chief master sergeant for cycle 00E9 consisting of a mandatory rescoring of his corrected record against the appropriate benchmark records.

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 applicant was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that applicant 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 26 April 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

		Panel Chair
		Member
		Member

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/DPPPWB, dated 14 Feb 01, w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 9 Mar 01.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 21 Mar 01, w/atchs.

			
			Panel Chair

AFBCMR 01-00330

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   , be corrected to include the citation to accompany the Air Force Achievement Medal for the period 27 August 1998 through 17 October 1998 be provided supplemental promotion consideration to the grade of chief master sergeant for cycle 00E9 consisting of a mandatory rescoring of his corrected record against the appropriate benchmark records.

	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 applicant was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that applicant is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.

		
		Director
		Air Force Review Boards Agency