RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:		DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00360
			INDEX CODE:  131.01
			COUNSEL:  NONE

			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM) (3 OLC) for the period 2 Sep 95 through 3 Oct 98 be counted for promotion cycle 00E7.
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The decoration was not counted towards his promotion points for cycle 00E7.  It was submitted into official channels prior to the promotion eligibility cut off date (PECD) of 31 Dec 99, but was not acted upon or finalized in a timely manner.  Had the decoration been properly processed after submission, he would have received the decoration before the PECD date and would have been selected for promotion.  His total promotion score for the 00E7 cycle was 320.28 and the score required for selection in his specialty was 321.13.  He had no control over the administrative procedures, but has been penalized because of them.

In support of his request, the applicant provided a personal statement, copy of the JSCM citation, and documents related to the events under review.  The applicant’s submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 9 February 1984.  He has continued to serve on active duty, entering his most recent enlistment on 7 February 2000, when he reenlisted for a period of four years.  He is currently serving in the grade of technical sergeant, having been promoted to that grade with an effective date and a date of rank of 20 December 1996.  

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant's military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force.  Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this record of proceedings.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Inquires/AFBCMR Section, AFPC/DPPPWB, indicates that current 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 promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD), and the date of the DÉCOR-6, Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP), must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.  The PECD for the promotion cycle in question was 31 December 1999.  In addition, a decoration that a member claims was lost, downgraded, etc., must be verified and fully documented that it was placed into official channels prior to the selection date.  Official channels is defined as the first indorsement to the decoration recommendation -- usually the commander’s indorsement.

DPPPWB states that this decoration does not meet the criteria for promotion credit during the 00E7 cycle because there is no tangible evidence the decoration was placed into official channels prior to 31 May 00, the date selections for the 00E7 cycle were made.  As documented by HQ AIRNORTH the recommendation met the decoration board on 7 Jul 00 and the Permanent Order 207-05, is dated 25 Jul 00.  The applicant’s request to have the decoration included in the promotion process for this cycle as an exception to policy was disapproved by the Promotion Management Section at AFPC. DPPPWB concurs with that action and recommends the applicant’s current request be denied (Exhibit C).

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and reiterated and elaborated on his initial contentions.  He further contends that his request is not an “after the fact” decoration, but rather a valid timely submission that, due to no fault of his own, was not processed in a timely manner.  After submitting the decoration and having been told that it would be processed and approved, he did not pursue the matter any further as he had full trust in the system and continued to do his job to the best of his ability (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.  After reviewing the documentation submitted and in particular the letter from the applicant’s former commander/supervisor, we believe that the intent, direction, and desire of the applicant’s immediate chain of command was to have the award placed into proper channels in sufficient time to be considered in the 00E7 promotion cycle.  We are also of the opinion that the untimely processing of the decoration was beyond the applicant’s control.  In view of the above and in order to resolve any injustice to the applicant, we recommend that his records be corrected in the following manner.
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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 his Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM) (3 OLC) for the period 2 September 1995 through 3 October 1998 was placed into official channel on 1 May 2000.

It is further recommended that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant for promotion cycle 00E7.

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 this promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the Board for a final determination on the individual's qualifications for the promotion.

If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to any 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 11 April 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

Chair
Member
Member

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

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 17 Jan 01 w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant’s Master Personnel Records
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 20 Feb 01 w/atchs.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 9 Mar 01.
     Exhibit E.  Applicant’s Response, dated 19 Mar 01.

                                  
                                  Chair

AFBCMR 01-00360

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 Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM) (3 OLC) for the period 2 September 1995 through 3 October 1998 was placed into official channels on 1 May 2000.

It is further directed that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant for promotion cycle 00E7.

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 this promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the Board for a final determination on the individual's qualifications for the promotion.

If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to any 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.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency